Travel surveillance uncovers dengue virus dynamics and introductions in the Caribbean.

Dengue is the most prevalent mosquito-borne viral disease in humans, and cases are continuing to rise globally. In particular, islands in the Caribbean have experienced more frequent outbreaks, and all four dengue virus (DENV) serotypes have been reported in the region, leading to hyperendemicity and increased rates of severe disease. However, there is significant variability regarding virus surveillance and reporting between islands, making it difficult to obtain an accurate understanding of the epidemiological patterns in the Caribbean. To investigate this, we used travel surveillance and genomic epidemiology to reconstruct outbreak dynamics, DENV serotype turnover, and patterns of spread within the region from 2009-2022. We uncovered two recent DENV-3 introductions from Asia, one of which resulted in a large outbreak in Cuba, which was previously under-reported. We also show that while outbreaks can be synchronized between islands, they are often caused by different serotypes. Our study highlights the importance of surveillance of infected travelers to provide a snapshot of local introductions and transmission in areas with limited local surveillance and suggests that the recent DENV-3 introductions may pose a major public health threat in the region.

Prediction of Response to Systemic Corticosteroids in Active UC by Microbial Composition-A Prospective Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: Corticosteroids are used for induction of remission in patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis. However, up to one-third of patients fail to this therapy. We investigated if fecal microbial composition or its metabolic capacity are associated with response to systemic corticosteroids. METHODS: In this prospective, multicenter study, patients with active ulcerative colitis (Lichtiger score ≥4) receiving systemic corticosteroids were eligible. Data were assessed and fecal samples collected before and after 4 weeks of treatment. Patients were divided into responders (decrease of Lichtiger Score ≥50%) and nonresponders. The fecal microbiome was assessed by the 16S rRNA gene marker and analyzed with QIIME 2. Microbial metabolic pathways were predicted using parsimonious flux balance analysis. RESULTS: Among 93 included patients, 69 (74%) patients responded to corticosteroids after 4 weeks. At baseline, responders could not be distinguished from nonresponders by microbial diversity and composition, except for a subgroup of biologic-naïve patients. Within 4 weeks of treatment, responders experienced changes in beta diversity with enrichment of ascribed beneficial taxa, including Blautia, Anaerostipes, and Bifidobacterium, as well as an increase in predicted butyrate synthesis. Nonresponders had only minor longitudinal taxonomic changes with a significant increase of Streptococcus salivarius and a microbial composition shifting away from responders. CONCLUSION: Baseline microbial diversity and composition seem to be of limited use to predict response to systemic corticosteroids in active ulcerative colitis. Response is longitudinally associated with restoration of microbial composition and its metabolic capacity.

[Use of subcutaneous Vedolizumab: A position paper issued by the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Working Group of the Austrian Society of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (ÖGGH)]. / Positionspapier der Arbeitsgruppe Chronisch Entzündliche Darmerkrankungen der ÖGGH zum Einsatz von Vedolizumab subkutan.

The humanized monoclonal anti-α4ß7-integrin-antibody vedolizumab is one of several biologic therapeutic options in moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Within the VISIBLE trial program, a novel subcutaneous application route was evaluated in addition to the already established intravenous form. In this position statement, the working group "Inflammatory Bowel Diseases" of the Austrian Society for Gastroenterology and Hepatology (OEGGH) summarizes the evidence regarding the subcutaneous application of vedolizumab. This work supplements a position paper on the value of vedolizumab as a first-line biologic that has already been published and offers useful recommendations for clinical practice.

Travel surveillance uncovers dengue virus dynamics and introductions in the Caribbean.

Dengue is the most prevalent mosquito-borne viral disease in humans, and cases are continuing to rise globally. In particular, islands in the Caribbean have experienced more frequent outbreaks, and all four dengue virus (DENV) serotypes have been reported in the region, leading to hyperendemicity and increased rates of severe disease. However, there is significant variability regarding virus surveillance and reporting between islands, making it difficult to obtain an accurate understanding of the epidemiological patterns in the Caribbean. To investigate this, we used travel surveillance and genomic epidemiology to reconstruct outbreak dynamics, DENV serotype turnover, and patterns of spread within the region from 2009-2022. We uncovered two recent DENV-3 introductions from Asia, one of which resulted in a large outbreak in Cuba, which was previously under-reported. We also show that while outbreaks can be synchronized between islands, they are often caused by different serotypes. Our study highlights the importance of surveillance of infected travelers to provide a snapshot of local introductions and transmission in areas with limited local surveillance and suggests that the recent DENV-3 introductions may pose a major public health threat in the region.

Emergence of liquid following laser melting of gold thin films.

X-ray structural science is undergoing a revolution driven by the emergence of X-ray Free-electron Laser (XFEL) facilities. The structures of crystalline solids can now be studied on the picosecond time scale relevant to phonons, atomic vibrations which travel at acoustic velocities. In the work presented here, X-ray diffuse scattering is employed to characterize the time dependence of the liquid phase emerging from femtosecond laser-induced melting of polycrystalline gold thin films using an XFEL. In a previous analysis of Bragg peak profiles, we showed the supersonic disappearance of the solid phase and presented a model of pumped hot electrons carrying energy from the gold surface to scatter at internal grain boundaries. This generates melt fronts propagating relatively slowly into the crystal grains. By conversion of diffuse scattering to a partial X-ray pair distribution function, we demonstrate that it has the characteristic shape obtained by Fourier transformation of the measured F(Q). The diffuse signal fraction increases with a characteristic rise-time of 13 ps, roughly independent of the incident pump fluence and consequent final liquid fraction. This suggests the role of further melt-front nucleation processes beyond grain boundaries.

Survey of white-footed mice in Connecticut, USA reveals low SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and infection with divergent betacoronaviruses.

Diverse mammalian species display susceptibility to and infection with SARS-CoV-2. Potential SARS-CoV-2 spillback into rodents is understudied despite their host role for numerous zoonoses and human proximity. We assessed exposure and infection among white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) in Connecticut, USA. We observed 1% (6/540) wild-type neutralizing antibody seroprevalence among 2020-2022 residential mice with no cross-neutralization of variants. We detected no SARS-CoV-2 infections via RT-qPCR, but identified non-SARS-CoV-2 betacoronavirus infections via pan-coronavirus PCR among 1% (5/468) of residential mice. Sequencing revealed two divergent betacoronaviruses, preliminarily named Peromyscus coronavirus-1 and -2. Both belong to the Betacoronavirus 1 species and are ~90% identical to the closest known relative, Porcine hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus. Low SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence suggests white-footed mice may not be sufficiently susceptible or exposed to SARS-CoV-2 to present a long-term human health risk. However, the discovery of divergent, non-SARS-CoV-2 betacoronaviruses expands the diversity of known rodent coronaviruses and further investigation is required to understand their transmission extent.

Arthropod predator community associated with soybean gall midge, Resseliella maxima (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), in Minnesotan soybean fields.

The soybean gall midge, Resseliella maxima Gagné (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), is a pest that injures soybeans in the Midwest United States. Little is known about the natural enemies of R. maxima or the potential for biological control. Therefore, we performed a 2-yr survey in Minnesota to examine the predator community associated with R. maxima infestations. We found that Orius insidiosus (Say) (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) and Pterostichus melanarius (Illiger) (Coleoptera: Carabidae) were the most common foliar- and ground-foraging predators, respectively. Some of the commonly encountered predator species were tested in laboratory predation experiments. Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and O. insidiosus represented the foliar-foraging predators tested, and H. axyridis consumed significantly more R. maxima larvae than O. insidiosus. Among the ground-foraging predators, 4 carabids were tested. Poecilus lucublandus (Say) (Coleoptera: Carabidae) and Pt. melanarius consumed significantly more R. maxima larvae than Poecilus chalcites (Say) (Coleoptera: Carabidae) and Bembidion quadrimaculatum oppositum (Say) (Coleoptera: Carabidae). We conclude that Pt. melanarius should receive further attention as a potential biological control agent of R. maxima, due to its high abundance in the soybean fields in this study, temporal overlap with the pest, and high propensity to feed on the pest.

Spatial and temporal dynamics of soybean gall midge (Resseliella maxima) parasitism by Synopeas maximum.

BACKGROUND: Soybean gall midge, Resseliella maxima Gagné (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), is a pest that impacts soybean yield in the Midwest United States. While biological control using parasitoids may be a promising approach for managing this pest, it is crucial to have a deep understanding of parasitism dynamics to ensure effective implementation. We investigated R. maxima parasitism using a combination of three methods: rearing of field-collected hosts, dissection, and molecular assays. RESULTS: We confirmed parasitism of R. maxima by the recently described wasp Synopeas maximum Awad & Talamas (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) and used our combinatorial approach to observe the spatial and temporal relationships between R. maxima and its parasitoid in the field. The number of R. maxima adults was greater in symptomatic plants on field edges than the field interior, but such a pattern was inconsistent for parasitism rates. Parasitism rates were generally highest early and late in the season, and lower in the middle of the season when the number of R. maxima was highest. CONCLUSION: In Minnesota, overall season-long parasitism rates of R. maxima were low (< 2%). To facilitate a wider investigation of the biological control of R. maxima, we designed a protocol for high throughput DNA extraction and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) that can be used across a broader geography. Further research should evaluate how parasitism rates by Synopeas maximum could be promoted in production fields. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Factors Associated with Response to Systemic Corticosteroids in Active Ulcerative Colitis: Results from a Prospective, Multicenter Trial.

BACKGROUND: Among patients with ulcerative colitis, 30-50% receive corticosteroids within the first five years after diagnosis. We aimed to reconsider their effectiveness in the context of the biologic era. METHODS: In this prospective, multicenter study, patients with active ulcerative colitis (Lichtiger score ≥ 4) were eligible if initiating systemic corticosteroids. The primary endpoint was clinical response (decrease in the Lichtiger score of ≥50%) at week 4. Secondary endpoints included combined response defined as clinical response and any reduction in elevated biomarkers (CRP and/or calprotectin). Steroid dependence was assessed after three months. RESULTS: A total of 103 patients were included. Clinical response was achieved by 73% of patients, and combined response by 68%. A total of 15% of patients were steroid-dependent. Activity of colitis did not influence short-term response to treatment but increased the risk for steroid dependence. Biologic-naïve patients responded better than biologic-experienced patients. Past smoking history (OR 5.38 [1.71, 20.1], p = 0.003), hemoglobin levels (OR 0.76 [0.57, 0.99] for higher levels, p = 0.045), and biologic experience (OR 3.30 [1.08, 10.6], p = 0.036) were independently associated with nonresponse. CONCLUSION: Disease activity was not associated with short-term response to systemic corticosteroids but was associated with steroid dependence in patients with active ulcerative colitis. Exposure to biologics negatively affects response rates.

Dynamics of eastern equine encephalitis virus during the 2019 outbreak in the Northeast United States.

Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) causes a rare but severe disease in horses and humans and is maintained in an enzootic transmission cycle between songbirds and Culiseta melanura mosquitoes. In 2019, the largest EEEV outbreak in the United States for more than 50 years occurred, centered in the Northeast. To explore the dynamics of the outbreak, we sequenced 80 isolates of EEEV and combined them with existing genomic data. We found that, similar to previous years, cases were driven by multiple independent but short-lived virus introductions into the Northeast from Florida. Once in the Northeast, we found that Massachusetts was important for regional spread. We found no evidence of any changes in viral, human, or bird factors which would explain the increase in cases in 2019, although the ecology of EEEV is complex and further data is required to explore these in more detail. By using detailed mosquito surveillance data collected by Massachusetts and Connecticut, however, we found that the abundance of Cs. melanura was exceptionally high in 2019, as was the EEEV infection rate. We employed these mosquito data to build a negative binomial regression model and applied it to estimate early season risks of human or horse cases. We found that the month of first detection of EEEV in mosquito surveillance data and vector index (abundance multiplied by infection rate) were predictive of cases later in the season. We therefore highlight the importance of mosquito surveillance programs as an integral part of public health and disease control.

The genome of the soybean gall midge (Resseliella maxima).

The cecidomyiid fly, soybean gall midge, Resseliella maxima Gagné, is a recently discovered insect that feeds on soybean plants in the Midwestern United States. R. maxima larvae feed on soybean stems that may induce plant death and can cause considerable yield losses, making it an important agricultural pest. From three pools of 50 adults each, we used long-read nanopore sequencing to assemble a R. maxima reference genome. The final genome assembly is 206 Mb with 64.88× coverage, consisting of 1,009 contigs with an N50 size of 714 kb. The assembly is high quality with a Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Ortholog (BUSCO) score of 87.8%. Genome-wide GC level is 31.60%, and DNA methylation was measured at 1.07%. The R. maxima genome is comprised of 21.73% repetitive DNA, which is in line with other cecidomyiids. Protein prediction annotated 14,798 coding genes with 89.9% protein BUSCO score. Mitogenome analysis indicated that R. maxima assembly is a single circular contig of 15,301 bp and shares highest identity to the mitogenome of the Asian rice gall midge, Orseolia oryzae Wood-Mason. The R. maxima genome has one of the highest completeness levels for a cecidomyiid and will provide a resource for research focused on the biology, genetics, and evolution of cecidomyiids, as well as plant-insect interactions in this important agricultural pest.

Dynamics of Eastern equine encephalitis virus during the 2019 outbreak in the Northeast United States.

Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) causes a rare but severe disease in horses and humans, and is maintained in an enzootic transmission cycle between songbirds and Culiseta melanura mosquitoes. In 2019, the largest EEEV outbreak in the United States for more than 50 years occurred, centered in the Northeast. To explore the dynamics of the outbreak, we sequenced 80 isolates of EEEV and combined them with existing genomic data. We found that, like previous years, cases were driven by frequent short-lived virus introductions into the Northeast from Florida. Once in the Northeast, we found that Massachusetts was important for regional spread. We found no evidence of any changes in viral, human, or bird factors which would explain the increase in cases in 2019. By using detailed mosquito surveillance data collected by Massachusetts and Connecticut, however, we found that the abundance of Cs. melanura was exceptionally high in 2019, as was the EEEV infection rate. We employed these mosquito data to build a negative binomial regression model and applied it to estimate early season risks of human or horse cases. We found that the month of first detection of EEEV in mosquito surveillance data and vector index (abundance multiplied by infection rate) were predictive of cases later in the season. We therefore highlight the importance of mosquito surveillance programs as an integral part of public health and disease control.

The Genome of the Soybean Gall Midge ( Resseliella maxima ).

The cecidomyiid fly, soybean gall midge, Resseliella maxima Gagné, is a recently discovered insect that feeds on soybean plants in the Midwest US. Resseliella maxima larvae feed on soybean stems which may induce plant death and can cause considerable yield losses, making it an important agricultural pest. From three pools of 50 adults each, we used long-read nanopore sequencing to assemble a R. maxima reference genome. The final genome assembly is 206 Mb with 64.88X coverage, consisting of 1009 contigs with an N50 size of 714 kb. The assembly is high quality with a BUSCO score of 87.8%. Genome-wide GC level is 31.60% and DNA methylation was measured at 1.07%. The R. maxima genome is comprised of 21.73% repetitive DNA, which is in line with other cecidomyiids. Protein prediction annotated 14,798 coding genes with 89.9% protein BUSCO score. Mitogenome analysis indicated that R. maxima assembly is a single circular contig of 15,301 bp and shares highest identity to the mitogenome of the Asian rice gall midge, Orseolia oryzae (Wood-Mason). The R. maxima genome has one of the highest completeness levels for a cecidomyiid and will provide a resource for research focused on the biology, genetics, and evolution of cecidomyiids, as well as plant-insect interactions in this important agricultural pest.

Improving Nasopharyngeal Swab Technique via Simulation for Frontline Workers.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Nasopharyngeal swabs currently remain the gold standard for COVID-19 sample collection. A surge in testing volume has resulted in a large number of health care workers who are unfamiliar with nasal anatomy performing this test, which can lead to improper collection practices culminating in false-negative results and complications. Therefore, we aimed to assess the accuracy and educational potential of a realistic 3D-printed nasal swab simulator to expedite health care workers' skill acquisition. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective pre-post interventional study. METHODS: A nasal swab task trainer (NSTT) was developed to scale from computed tomography data with a deviated septum. Frontline workers at COVID-19 testing sites in Ontario, Canada, were recruited to use the NSTT for nasopharyngeal swab training. Integrated video recording capability allowed participants to self-evaluate procedure accuracy. A five-point Likert scale was collected regarding the NSTT's educational value and procedural fidelity. RESULTS: Sixty-two frontline workers included in the study were primarily registered nurses (52%) or paramedics (16%). Following simulator use, self-assessed accuracy improved in 77% of all participants and 100% of participants who expressed low confidence before training. Ninety-four percent reported that the NSTT provided a complete educational experience, and 82% regarded the system as a more effective training approach than what is currently available. Eighty-one indicated that the simulator should be used at all COVID-19 testing sites, with 77% stating province-wide implementation was warranted. CONCLUSIONS: The nasal swab task trainer is an effective educational tool that appears well-suited for improved skill acquisition in COVID-19 testing and may be useful for training other nasal swab applications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 133:38-42, 2023.

An evaluation of the CARL manikin for use in "patient-free" real ear measurement: consistency and comparison to normative data.

OBJECTIVE: Simulation-based learning experiences provide low-risk opportunities for procedural training and practice in audiology. A series of real ear measurements (REM) were completed using Clinical Assistant for Research and Learning (CARL) manikins to determine expected responses and to compare to normative data. DESIGN: (1) Real-ear Unaided Response (REUR) curves were measured with one CARL and each of three ear styles. (2) Test/retest reliability was evaluated by repeating each REUR. (3) Real ear to coupler difference (RECD) values for foam-tip and custom earmolds were calculated. (4) The reliability across copies of the CARL heads was evaluated by comparing REUR measurement from one set of ears on 4 heads. STUDY SAMPLE: Four adult CARL manikins and thirty ears (5 sets of large, small, and bent). RESULTS: Within each ear category, the average difference across frequencies from one ear to the next was less than 2.5 dB with no significant individual difference more than 5.8 dB. Test/retest reliability was excellent. Typical REUR and RECD curves were created for each ear style and compared to published data on human ears. CONCLUSIONS: REM using the adult CARL head are predictable and repeatable making this simulator a good tool for audiological training.

On single-crystal total scattering data reduction and correction protocols for analysis in direct space. Corrigendum.

The name of the third author of the article by Koch et al. [Acta Cryst. (2021). A77, 611-636] is corrected.

Association of voltage-gated sodium channel mutations with field-evolved pyrethroid resistant phenotypes in soybean aphid and genetic markers for their detection.

The frequent use of insecticides to manage soybean aphids, Aphis glycines (Hemiptera: Aphididae), in the United States has contributed to field-evolved resistance. Pyrethroid-resistant aphids have nonsynonymous mutations in the voltage-gated sodium channel (vgsc). We identified a leucine to phenylalanine mutation at position 1014 (L1014F) and a methionine to isoleucine mutation (M918I) of the A. glycines vgsc, both suspected of conferring knockdown resistance (kdr) to lambda-cyhalothrin. We developed molecular markers to identify these mutations in insecticide-resistant aphids. We determined that A. glycines which survived exposure to a diagnostic concentration of lambda-cyhalothrin and bifenthrin via glass-vial bioassays had these mutations, and showed significant changes in the resistance allele frequency between samples collected before and after field application of lambda-cyhalothrin. Thus, a strong association was revealed between aphids with L1014F and M918I vgsc mutations and survival following exposure to pyrethroids. Specifically, the highest survival was observed for aphids with the kdr (L1014F) and heterozygote super-kdr (L1014F + M918I) genotypes following laboratory bioassays and in-field application of lambda-cyhalothrin. These genetic markers could be used as a diagnostic tool for detecting insecticide-resistant A. glycines and monitoring the geographic distribution of pyrethroid resistance. We discuss how generating these types of data could improve our efforts to mitigate the effects of pyrethroid resistance on crop production.

Lack of Evidence for Fitness Costs in Soybean Aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae) With Resistance to Pyrethroid Insecticides in the Upper Midwest Region of the United States.

Twenty years after the arrival of soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura (Hemiptera: Aphididae), in the United States, it remains the most economically important arthropod pest of soybean in the Upper Midwest Region. After years of repeated and sustained insecticidal pressures placed on the aphid, resistance to the pyrethroid class of insecticides has been documented in multiple years over a large geographic area. In this study, the fitness of aphid isolates displaying resistant and susceptible phenotypes to λ-cyhalothrin were compared within several experiments over three soybean-growing seasons. Rates of population increase were evaluated on whole plants in the greenhouse, intrinsic rates of increase were calculated from leaf discs in the laboratory, and aphid size and asymmetry were compared through tibial measurements. No evidence of a fitness cost associated with the resistant phenotype was seen in any of our experiments. In contrast, individual resistant isolates occasionally supported significantly higher fitness values than some susceptible isolates. Additionally, a pooled analysis comparing resistant and susceptible phenotypes across years and isolates revealed that, on average, the resistant phenotype had significantly higher fitness values than the susceptible phenotype in most experiments. The lack of reproductive fitness costs associated with the pyrethroid-resistant phenotype raises concerns for longevity of pyrethroid use in soybean aphid management.