Detection of antimicrobial resistance genes associated with the International Space Station environmental surfaces.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health issue. In an effort to minimize this threat to astronauts, who may be immunocompromised and thus at a greater risk of infection from antimicrobial resistant pathogens, a comprehensive study of the ISS "resistome' was conducted. Using whole genome sequencing (WGS) and disc diffusion antibiotic resistance assays, 9 biosafety level 2 organisms isolated from the ISS were assessed for their antibiotic resistance. Molecular analysis of AMR genes from 24 surface samples collected from the ISS during 3 different sampling events over a span of a year were analyzed with Ion AmpliSeq™ and metagenomics. Disc diffusion assays showed that Enterobacter bugandensis strains were resistant to all 9 antibiotics tested and Staphylococcus haemolyticus being resistant to none. Ion AmpliSeq™ revealed that 123 AMR genes were found, with those responsible for beta-lactam and trimethoprim resistance being the most abundant and widespread. Using a variety of methods, the genes involved in antimicrobial resistance have been examined for the first time from the ISS. This information could lead to mitigation strategies to maintain astronaut health during long duration space missions when return to Earth for treatment is not possible.

Biodistribution of 99mTc-MAA on SPECT/CT performed for 90Y radioembolization therapy planning: a pictorial review.

Purpose: To evaluate the frequency of 99mTc-MAA uptake in extrahepatic organs during 90Y radioembolization therapy planning. Methods: This retrospective case series of 70 subjects who underwent 99mTc-MAA hepatic artery perfusion studies between January 2014 and July 2016 for 90Y radioembolization therapy planning at our institution involved direct image review for all subjects, with endpoints recorded: lung shunt fraction, extrahepatic radiotracer uptake, time from MAA injection to imaging. Results: Combined planar and SPECT/CT imaging findings in the 70 subjects demonstrated lung shunt fraction measurements of less than 10% in 53 (76%) subjects and greater than 10% in 17 (24%) subjects. All patients demonstrated renal cortical uptake, 23 (33%) demonstrated salivary gland uptake, 23 (33%) demonstrated thyroid uptake, and 32 (46%) demonstrated gastric mucosal uptake, with significant overlap between these groups. The range of elapsed times between MAA injection and initial imaging was 41-138 min, with a mean of 92 min. There was no correlation between time to imaging and the presence of extrahepatic radiotracer uptake at any site. Conclusions: During hepatic artery perfusion scanning for 90Y radioembolization therapy planning, extrahepatic uptake is common, particularly in the kidney, salivary gland, thyroid and gastric mucosa, and is hypothesized to result from breakdown of 99mTc-MAA over time. Given the breakdown to smaller aggregates and ultimately pertechnetate, this should not be a contraindication to actual Y-90 microsphere therapy. Although we found no correlation between time to imaging and extrahepatic uptake, most of our injection to imaging times were relatively short.

Impaired contrast sensitivity is associated with more severe cognitive impairment in Parkinson disease.

OBJECTIVES: Dopaminergic degeneration affects both nigrostriatal projection neurons and retinal amacrine cells in Parkinson disease (PD). Parkinsonian retinopathy is associated with impaired color discrimination and contrast sensitivity. Some prior studies described associations between color discrimination deficits and cognitive deficits in PD, suggesting that contrast discrimination deficits are due, at least in part, to cognitive deficits in PD. We investigated the relationship between cognitive deficits and impaired contrast sensitivity in PD. METHODS: PD subjects, n = 43; 15F/28M; mean age 66.5 ± 8.2, Hoehn and Yahr stage 2.6 ± 0.6, and duration of disease of 6.2 ± 5.0 years underwent neuropsychological and Rabin contrast sensitivity testing. RESULTS: Mean Rabin contrast sensitivity score was 1.34 ± 0.40. Bivariate analyses showed significant correlation between Rabin contrast sensitivity scores and global cognitive z-scores (R = 0.54, P = 0.0002). Cognitive domain Z-score post hoc analysis demonstrated most robust correlation between Rabin scores and executive functions (R = 0.49, P = 0.0009), followed by verbal learning (R = 0.44, P = 0.0028), visuospatial (R = 0.39, P = 0.001) and attention z-scores (R = 0.32, P = 0.036). CONCLUSIONS: Impaired contrast sensitivity in PD is robustly associated with cognitive deficits, particularly executive function deficits. These results suggest that contrast sensitivity may be a useful biomarker for cognitive changes in PD and may have implications for driving safety evaluations in PD.

Diabetes, Gray Matter Loss, and Cognition in the Setting of Parkinson Disease.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Parkinson disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting motor and cognitive functions. Prior studies showed that patients with PD and diabetes (DM) demonstrate worse clinical outcomes compared to nondiabetic subjects with PD. Our study aimed at defining the relationship between DM, gray matter volume, and cognition in patients with PD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 36 subjects with PD (12 with DM, 24 without DM, mean age = 66). Subjects underwent high-resolution T1-weighted brain magnetic resonance imaging, [(11)C]dihydrotetrabenazine positron emission tomography imaging to quantify nigrostriatal dopaminergic denervation, clinical, and cognitive assessments. Magnetic resonance images were postprocessed to determine total and lobar cortical gray matter volumes. Cognitive testing scores were converted to z-scores for specific cognitive domains and a composite global cognitive z-score based on normative data computed. Analysis of covariance, accounting for effects of age, gender, intracranial volume, and striatal [(11)C]dihydrotetrabenazine binding, was used to test the relationship between DM and gray matter volumes. RESULTS: Impact of DM on total gray matter volume was significant (P = 0.02). Post hoc analyses of lobar cortical gray matter volumes revealed that DM was more selectively associated with lower gray matter volumes in the frontal regions (P = 0.01). Cognitive post hoc analyses showed that interaction of total gray matter volume and DM status was significantly associated with composite (P = 0.007), executive (P = 0.02), and visuospatial domain cognitive z-scores (P = 0.005). These associations were also significant for the frontal cortical gray matter. CONCLUSION: DM may exacerbate brain atrophy and cognitive functions in PD with greater vulnerability in the frontal lobes. Given the high prevalence of DM in the elderly, delineating its effects on patient outcomes in the PD population is of importance.

Draft Genomes for Eight Burkholderia mallei Isolates from Turkey.

Burkholderia mallei, the etiologic agent of glanders, is a Gram-negative, nonmotile, facultative intracellular pathogen. Although glanders has been eradicated from many parts of the world, the threat of B. mallei being used as a weapon is very real. Here we present draft genome assemblies of 8 Burkholderia mallei strains that were isolated in Turkey.

Complete Genome Assembly of Staphylococcus epidermidis AmMS 205.

Staphylococcus epidermidis causes a large number of catheter-related sepsis infections annually in the United States. We present the 2.54-Mbp complete genome assembly of reference strain S. epidermidis AmMS 205, including a single 37.7-kbp plasmid. The annotated assembly is available in GenBank under accession numbers CP009046 and CP009047.

Comparing the biological washout of ß+-activity induced in mice brain after 12C-ion and proton irradiation.

In clinical ion beam therapy, protons as well as heavier ions such as carbon are used for treatment. For protons, ß(+)-emitters are only induced by fragmentation reactions in the target (target fragmentation), whereas for heavy ions, they are additionally induced by fragmentations of the projectile (further referred to as autoactivation). An approach utilizing these processes for treatment verification, by comparing measured Positron Emission Tomography (PET) data to predictions from Monte Carlo simulations, has already been clinically implemented. For an accurate simulation, it is important to consider the biological washout of ß(+)-emitters due to vital functions. To date, mathematical expressions for washout have mainly been determined by using radioactive beams of (10)C- and (11)C-ions, both ß(+)-emitters, to enhance the counting statistics in the irradiated area. Still, the question of how the choice of projectile (autoactivating or non-autoactivating) influences the washout coefficients, has not been addressed. In this context, an experiment was carried out at the Heidelberg Ion Beam Therapy Center with the purpose of directly comparing irradiation-induced biological washout coefficients in mice for protons and (12)C-ions. To this aim, mice were irradiated in the brain region with protons and (12)C-ions and measured after irradiation with a PET/CT scanner (Siemens Biograph mCT). After an appropriate waiting time, the mice were sacrificed, then irradiated and measured again under similar conditions. The resulting data were processed and fitted numerically to deduce the main washout parameters. Despite the very low PET counting statistics, a consistent difference could be identified between (12)C-ion and proton irradiated mice, with the (12)C data being described best by a two component fit with a combined medium and slow washout fraction of 0.50 ± 0.05 and the proton mice data being described best by a one component fit with only one (slow) washout fraction of 0.73 ± 0.06.

Genome Assembly of Shigella flexneri ATCC 12022, a Quality Control Reference Strain.

Shigella flexneri causes shigellosis, severe and potentially life-threatening diarrhea, and accounts for 18% of shigellosis cases in the United States. Here, we present the 4.51-Mbp genome assembly of S. flexneri ATCC 12022, a quality control and reference strain, in 10 scaffolds.

Whole-genome assemblies of 56 burkholderia species.

Burkholderia is a genus of betaproteobacteria that includes three notable human pathogens: B. cepacia, B. pseudomallei, and B. mallei. While B. pseudomallei and B. mallei are considered potential biowarfare agents, B. cepacia infections are largely limited to cystic fibrosis patients. Here, we present 56 Burkholderia genomes from 8 distinct species.

Whole-Genome Yersinia sp. Assemblies from 10 Diverse Strains.

Yersinia spp. are animal pathogens, some of which cause human disease. We sequenced 10 Yersinia isolates (from six species: Yersinia enterocolitica, Y. fredericksenii, Y. kristensenii, Y. pestis, Y. pseudotuberculosis, and Y. ruckeri) to high-quality draft or complete status. The genomes range in size from 3.77 to 4.94 Mbp.

Draft Genome Assemblies of Proteus mirabilis ATCC 7002 and Proteus vulgaris ATCC 49132.

The pleomorphic swarming bacilli of the genus Proteus are common human gut commensal organisms but also the causative agents of recurrent urinary tract infections and bacteremia. We sequenced and assembled the 3.99-Mbp genome of Proteus mirabilis ATCC 7002 (accession no. JOVJ00000000) and the 3.97-Mbp genome of Proteus vulgaris ATCC 49132 (accession no. JPIX00000000), both of which are commonly used reference strains.

Complete Genome Sequence of Type Strain Pasteurella multocida subsp. multocida ATCC 43137.

Soft-tissue infection by Pasteurella multocida in humans is usually associated with a dog- or cat-related injury, and these infections can become aggressive. We sequenced the type strain P. multocida subsp. multocida ATCC 43137 into a single closed chromosome consisting of 2,271,840 bp (40.4% G+C content), which is currently available in the NCBI GenBank under the accession number CP008918.

Draft Genome Assemblies of Enterobacter aerogenes CDC 6003-71, Enterobacter cloacae CDC 442-68, and Pantoea agglomerans UA 0804-01.

The Enterobacteriaceae are environmental and enteric microbes. We sequenced the genomes of two Enterobacter reference strains, E. aerogenes CDC 6003-71 and E. cloacae CDC 442-68, as well as one near neighbor used as an exclusionary reference for diagnostics, Pantoea agglomerans CDC UA0804-01. The genome sizes range from 4.72 to 5.55 Mbp and have G+C contents from 54.6 to 55.1%.

Complete Genome Assembly of Corynebacterium sp. Strain ATCC 6931.

The genus Corynebacterium is best known for the pathogen C. diphtheriae; however, it contains mostly commensal and nonpathogenic, as well as several opportunistic, pathogens. Here, we present the 2.47-Mb scaffolded assembly of the type strain, Corynebacterium sp. ATCC 6931 (NCTC 1914), as deposited into GenBank under accession number CP008913.

Full-Genome Assembly of Reference Strain Providencia stuartii ATCC 33672.

A member of the normal human gut microflora, Providencia stuartii is of clinical interest due to its role in nosocomial infections of the urinary tract and because it readily acquires antibiotic resistance. Here, we present the complete genome of P. stuartii strain ATCC 33672, consisting of a 4.28-Mbp chromosome and a 48.9-kbp plasmid.

Complete Genome Sequence of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica Serovar Enteritidis Strain SEJ.

Salmonella enterica constitutes a group of enteric pathogens with a broad host range, including humans, reptiles, and birds. S. enterica subsp. enterica is a common cause of inflammatory diarrhea in humans. We present the draft genome of S. enterica subsp. enterica serovar Enteritidis strain SEJ, including a 59-kbp plasmid.

Twenty Whole-Genome Bacillus sp. Assemblies.

Bacilli are genetically and physiologically diverse, ranging from innocuous to highly pathogenic. Here, we present annotated genome assemblies for 20 strains belonging to Bacillus anthracis, B. atrophaeus, B. cereus, B. licheniformis, B. macerans, B. megaterium, B. mycoides, and B. subtilis.

Draft Genome Assembly of Klebsiella pneumoniae Type Strain ATCC 13883.

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a common cause of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections in immunocompromised individuals. Here, we present the 5.54-Mb scaffolded assembly of the type strain K. pneumoniae type strain ATCC 13883, as deposited in GenBank under accession no. JOOW00000000.

Whole-genome sequences of nine francisella isolates.

Primarily a zoonotic disease, Francisella tularensis is a fastidious intracellular pathogen and is listed as a CDC category A pathogen with notably high pathogenicity. Here we present the scaffolded genome assemblies of nine Francisella strains: eight F. tularensis and one F. philomiragia.

Draft Genome Assembly of Neisseria lactamica Type Strain A7515.

We present the scaffolded genome assembly of Neisseria lactamica type strain A7515 (ATCC 23970) as submitted to NCBI under accession no. JOVI00000000. This type strain of the lactose-fermenting Neisseria species is often used in quality control testing and intra-genus phylogenetic analyses. The assembly includes four contigs placed into a single scaffold.