Linking intraspecies variability of Salmonella enterica isolates under acidic conditions to genotype.

There is a lack of information about Salmonella enterica strains under acidic conditions and their association with their genome. This study characterized intraspecies variability in the growth of 167 S. enterica isolates under two acid conditions (pH 4 and 5) and linked to the whole genome sequencing (WGS) data. A total of 1002 curves for each condition were obtained using turbidimetry measurements, and Baranyi and Roberts model was used to estimate the maximum rate of change (rcmax; OD600 nm h-1). Strains were categorized into slow, intermediate, and fast; and associations with their WGS data were performed. Huge variability in r c max ¯ $\overline {{\mathrm{r}}{{{\mathrm{c}}}_{{\mathrm{max}}}}} $ was observed at both conditions (pH 5 = 0.016-0.066 OD600nm h-1 and pH 4 = 0.003-0.028 OD600nm h-1). The majority of isolates was classified as intermediate r c max ¯ $\overline {{\mathrm{r}}{{{\mathrm{c}}}_{{\mathrm{max}}}}} $ (59.5% at pH 5 and 46.1% at pH 4). Strains classified as fast had a low frequency of allABCD genes at both pHs, and any of them having the presence of pefABCD, spvBCR, aadA2, dfrA12, and gyrA_D87G genes were linked to virulence or antimicrobial resistance. This study suggests that strains with fast capacity for growth under acidic conditions could have a fitness cost in their virulence or resistance potential. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Data presented in this study could be used to select representative strains to evaluate the exposure assessment in different food items, mainly the growth and survival in acidic foods.

Effect of treatment with phosphate, casein phosphopeptide and fluoride on the remineralization: in vitro study.

This study aimed to evaluate in vitro the effect protocols and anticaries agents containing casein amorphous calcium fluoride phosphopeptide-phosphate (CPP-ACPF, MI Paste Plus), sodium trimetaphosphate (TMP) and fluoride (F), in remineralization of caries lesions. Bovine enamel blocks with initial caries lesions were divided into groups (n = 12): 1) Toothpaste without F-TMP-MI Plus (Placebo); 2) Toothpaste 1100 ppm F (1100F), 3) 1100F + MI Paste Plus (1100F-MI Paste Plus), 4) Toothpaste with 1100F + Neutral gel with 4,500 ppm F + 5%TMP (1100F + Gel TMP) and 5) Toothpaste with 1100F + Neutral gel with 9,000 ppm F (1100F + Gel F). For the 4 and 5 groups the gel was applied only once for 1 minute, initially to the study. For the 3 group, after treatment with 1100F, MI Paste Plus was applied 2x/day for 3 minute. After pH cycling, the percentage of surface hardness recovery (%SHR); integrated loss of subsurface hardness (ΔKHN); profile and depth of the subsuperficial lesion (PLM); concentrations of F, calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) in enamel was determined. The data were analyzed by ANOVA (1-criterion) and Student-Newman-Keuls test (p < 0.001). Treatment with 1100F alone led to ~ 28% higher remineralization when compared to treatment with 1100F associated with MI Paste Plus (p < 0.001). The 1100F and 1100F + Gel F groups showed similar values for %SHR (p = 0.150). 1100F + Gel TMP treatment also remineralized the enamel surface by ~ 30% and 20% when compared to the 1100F + Gel F and 1100F groups (p < 0.001). The lower lesion depth (ΔKHN) was observed for the 1100F + Gel TMP group (p < 0.001), where it was 54% and 44% lower in comparison to the 1100F and 1100F + Gel F groups (p < 0.001). Polarized light microscopy photomicrographs showed subsurface lesions in all groups, but these lesions were present to a lower extent in the 1100F + Gel TMP group (p < 0.001). Treatment with 1100F + Gel TMP promoted an increase in the concentration of Ca in the enamel by ~ 57% and ~ 26% when compared to the 1100F and 1100F + MI Paste Plus groups (p < 0.001), respectively. There were no significant differences between the 1100F, 1100F + MI Paste Plus and 1100F + Gel F groups (p > 0.001). Similar values of P in the enamel were observed in the 1100F, 1100F + MI Paste Plus and 1100F + Gel F groups (p > 0.001), except for the 1100F + Gel TMP group, which presented a high concentration (p < 0.001). We conclude that the 1100F+TMP gel treatment/protocol led to a significant increased remineralization when compared to the other treatments/protocols and may be a promising strategy for patients with early caries lesions.

Pyricularia Are Mostly Host-Specialized with Limited Reciprocal Cross-Infection Between Wheat and Endemic Grasses in Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Wheat blast, caused by Pyricularia oryzae Triticum (PoT), is an emerging threat to global wheat production. The current understanding of the population biology of the pathogen and epidemiology of the disease has been based on phylogenomic studies that compared the wheat blast pathogen with isolates collected from grasses that were invasive to Brazilian wheat fields. In this study, we performed a comprehensive sampling of blast lesions in wheat crops and endemic grasses found in and away from wheat fields in Minas Gerais. A total of 1,368 diseased samples were collected (976 leaves of wheat and grasses and 392 wheat heads), which yielded a working collection of 564 Pyricularia isolates. We show that, contrary to earlier implications, PoT was rarely found on endemic grasses, and, conversely, members of grass-adapted lineages were rarely found on wheat. Instead, most lineages were host-specialized, with constituent isolates usually grouping according to their host of origin. With regard to the dominant role proposed for signalgrass in wheat blast epidemiology, we found only one PoT member in 67 isolates collected from signalgrass grown away from wheat fields and only three members of Urochloa-adapted lineages among hundreds of isolates from wheat. Cross-inoculation assays on wheat and a signalgrass used in pastures (U. brizantha) suggested that the limited cross-infection observed in the field may be due to innate compatibility differences. Whether or not the observed level of cross-infection would be sufficient to provide an inoculum reservoir, or serve as a bridge between wheat growing regions, is questionable and, therefore, deserves further investigation.

Effect of treatment with phosphate, casein phosphopeptide and fluoride on the remineralization: in vitro study

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate in vitro the effect protocols and anticaries agents containing casein amorphous calcium fluoride phosphopeptide-phosphate (CPP-ACPF, MI Paste Plus), sodium trimetaphosphate (TMP) and fluoride (F), in remineralization of caries lesions. Bovine enamel blocks with initial caries lesions were divided into groups (n = 12): 1) Toothpaste without F-TMP-MI Plus (Placebo); 2) Toothpaste 1100 ppm F (1100F), 3) 1100F + MI Paste Plus (1100F-MI Paste Plus), 4) Toothpaste with 1100F + Neutral gel with 4,500 ppm F + 5%TMP (1100F + Gel TMP) and 5) Toothpaste with 1100F + Neutral gel with 9,000 ppm F (1100F + Gel F). For the 4 and 5 groups the gel was applied only once for 1 minute, initially to the study. For the 3 group, after treatment with 1100F, MI Paste Plus was applied 2x/day for 3 minute. After pH cycling, the percentage of surface hardness recovery (%SHR); integrated loss of subsurface hardness (ΔKHN); profile and depth of the subsuperficial lesion (PLM); concentrations of F, calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) in enamel was determined. The data were analyzed by ANOVA (1-criterion) and Student-Newman-Keuls test (p < 0.001). Treatment with 1100F alone led to ~ 28% higher remineralization when compared to treatment with 1100F associated with MI Paste Plus (p < 0.001). The 1100F and 1100F + Gel F groups showed similar values for %SHR (p = 0.150). 1100F + Gel TMP treatment also remineralized the enamel surface by ~ 30% and 20% when compared to the 1100F + Gel F and 1100F groups (p < 0.001). The lower lesion depth (ΔKHN) was observed for the 1100F + Gel TMP group (p < 0.001), where it was 54% and 44% lower in comparison to the 1100F and 1100F + Gel F groups (p < 0.001). Polarized light microscopy photomicrographs showed subsurface lesions in all groups, but these lesions were present to a lower extent in the 1100F + Gel TMP group (p < 0.001). Treatment with 1100F + Gel TMP promoted an increase in the concentration of Ca in the enamel by ~ 57% and ~ 26% when compared to the 1100F and 1100F + MI Paste Plus groups (p < 0.001), respectively. There were no significant differences between the 1100F, 1100F + MI Paste Plus and 1100F + Gel F groups (p > 0.001). Similar values of P in the enamel were observed in the 1100F, 1100F + MI Paste Plus and 1100F + Gel F groups (p > 0.001), except for the 1100F + Gel TMP group, which presented a high concentration (p < 0.001). We conclude that the 1100F+TMP gel treatment/protocol led to a significant increased remineralization when compared to the other treatments/protocols and may be a promising strategy for patients with early caries lesions.

Performance of cotton expressing Cry1Ac, Cry1F and Vip3Aa19 insecticidal proteins against Helicoverpa armigera, H. zea and their hybrid progeny, and evidence of reduced susceptibility of a field population of H. zea to Cry1 and Vip3Aa in Brazil.

The genetically modified cotton DAS-21023-5 × DAS-24236-5 × SYN-IR102-7 expressing Cry1Ac, Cry1F and Vip3Aa19 from Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt) has been cultivated in Brazil since the 2020/2021 season. Here, we assessed the performance of DAS-21023-5 × DAS-24236-5 × SYN-IR102-7 cotton expressing Cry1Ac, Cry1F and Vip3Aa19 against Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), and their hybrid progeny. We also carried out evaluations with DAS-21023-5 × DAS-24236-5 cotton containing Cry1Ac and Cry1F. In leaf-disk bioassays, DAS-21023-5 × DAS-24236-5 × SYN-IR102-7 was effective in controlling neonates from laboratory colonies of H. armigera, H. zea and the hybrid progeny (71.9%-100% mortality). On floral bud bioassays using L2 larvae, H. zea presented complete mortality, whereas H. armigera and the hybrid progeny showed <55% mortality. On DAS-21023-5 × DAS-24236-5 cotton, the mortality of H. armigera on leaf-disk and floral buds ranged from 60% to 73%, whereas mortality of hybrids was <46%. This Bt cotton caused complete mortality of H. zea larvae from a laboratory colony in the early growth stages, but mortalities were <55% on advanced growth stages and on floral buds. In field studies conducted from 2014 to 2019, DAS-21023-5 × DAS-24236-5 × SYN-IR102-7 cotton was also effective at protecting plants against H. armigera. In contrast, a population of H. zea collected in western Bahia in 2021/2022 on Bt cotton expressing Cry1 and Vip3Aa proteins, showed 63% mortality after 30 d, with insects developing into fifth and sixth instars, on DAS-21023-5 × DAS-24236-5 × SYN-IR102-7 cotton. We conclude that H. armigera, H. zea, and their hybrid progeny can be managed with DAS-21023-5 × DAS-24236-5 × SYN-IR102-7 cotton; however we found the first evidence in Brazil of a significant reduction in the susceptibility to DAS-21023-5 × DAS-24236-5 × SYN-IR102-7 cotton of a population of H. zea collected from Bt cotton in Bahia in 2021/2022.

In vitro effect of low-fluoride toothpaste supplemented with sodium trimetaphosphate, xylitol, and erythritol on enamel demineralization.

OBJECTIVE: Regular use of toothpaste with fluoride (F) concentrations of ≥ 1000 ppm has been shown to contribute to reducing caries increment. However, when used by children during the period of dental development, it can lead to dental fluorosis. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the in vitro effect of a toothpaste formulation with reduced fluoride (F) concentration (200 ppm) supplemented with sodium trimetaphosphate (TMP: 0.2%), Xylitol (X:16%), and Erythritol (E: 4%) on dental enamel demineralization. METHODOLOGY: Bovine enamel blocks were selected according to initial surface hardness (SHi) and then divided into seven experimental toothpaste groups (n=12). These groups included 1) no F-TMP-X-E (Placebo); 2) 16% Xylitol and 4% Erythritol (X-E); 3) 16% Xylitol, 4% Erythritol and 0.2%TMP (X-E-TMP); 4) 200 ppm F (no X-E-TMP: (200F)); 5) 200 ppm F and 0.2% TMP (200F-TMP); 200 ppm F, 16% Xylitol, 4% Erythritol, and 0.2% TMP (200F-X-E-TMP); and 7) 1,100 ppm F (1100F). Blocks were individually treated 2×/day with slurries of toothpastes and subjected to a pH cycling regimen for five days (DES: 6 hours and RE: 18 hours). Then, the percentage of surface hardness loss (%SH), integrated loss of subsurface hardness (ΔKHN), fluoride (F), calcium (Ca), and phosphorus (P) in enamel were determined. The data were analyzed by ANOVA (1-criterion) and the Student-Newman-Keuls test (p<0.001). RESULTS: We found that the 200F-X-E-TMP treatment reduced %SH by 43% compared to the 1100F treatments (p<0.001). The ΔKHN was ~ 65% higher with 200F-X-E-TMP compared to 1100F (p<0.001). The highest concentration of F in enamel was observed on the 1100F treatment (p<0.001). The 200F-X-E-TMP treatment promote higher increase of Ca and P concentration in the enamel (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The association of 200F-X-E-TMP led to a significant increase of the protective effect on enamel demineralization compared to the 1100F toothpaste.

Erratum to "Hand Surgery Patient Perspectives on Medical Cannabis: A Survey of Over 600 Patients" [Journal of Hand Surgery Global Online 5 (2023) 102-107].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.jhsg.2022.02.009.].

Hand Surgery Patient Perspectives on Medical Cannabis: A Survey of Over 600 Patients.

Purpose: Medical cannabis (MC) has been proposed as a potential addition to multimodal pain management regimens in orthopedics. This study evaluates hand and upper-extremity patient perspectives of MC as a treatment for common orthopedic and musculoskeletal pain conditions. This study also aims to identify the proportion of patients already using MC, perceived barriers to MC use, and opinions on insurance coverage and legality of cannabis. Methods: An anonymous cross-sectional survey study was conducted of all patients at least 18 years old presenting from October 2020 to January 2021 to a hand and upper-extremity outpatient clinic. The survey collected information regarding opinion on MC, including use, legality, and willingness to use MC in the future. Medical cannabis was legal in the states where the study was conducted. Results: A total of 679 patients completed the survey (response rate 72.5%). Sixty-eight patients (10.0%) reported currently using MC. Of the 623 patients (90.0%) who reported not currently using MC, 504 (80.9%) would consider using MC for chronic pain, while the remaining 119 (19.1%) would not consider the use of MC for chronic pain. Age was not associated with whether a patient would consider using MC (P = .16) or was already using MC (P = .10). The most identified barrier to MC use was cost, reported as either expensive or not affordable by 477 patients (70.5%). Conclusions: This study found that most patients presenting for hand and upper-extremity complaints would consider using MC (80.9%), and most perceive it as a safe treatment option for common orthopedic conditions. Moreover, 10% of patients reported already using MC. One of the major barriers to MC use is the cost. Most (90.9%) patients support policies for legalization and insurance coverage of MC. Type of study/level of evidence: Therapeutic Level III.

Historical view of medical Spanish instruction in a medical school at the US-Mexico border region.

With a growing speaking Spanish population in the USA, it is necessary to help meet their healthcare needs. The Paul L. Foster School of Medicine is located in El Paso at the US-Mexico border. The medical Spanish curriculum is required for all medical students and begins on their first day of medical school, with conversational Spanish and medical Spanish through the preclerkship years. One of the key elements to the success of this course is the use of instructors with expertise in language instruction with an emphasis on task-based instruction. In addition to language instruction, this course also emphasizes instruction and experience in the culture of the US-Mexico border region. While taught medical Spanish, students are also prompted to understand when their skills are not adequate for the situation, in which case they need to enlist a skilled translator. Students report that, on a daily basis, they productively use what they learned in this preclerkship curriculum.

Using the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Wisely: A National Survey of Clinicians Regarding Practices for Lower-Acuity Care.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to document the practices and preferences of neonatal care stakeholders regarding location and duration of care for newborns with low illness acuity. STUDY DESIGN: We developed a survey instrument that comprised 14 questions across 2 global scenarios and 7 specific clinical conditions. The latter included apnea of prematurity, gestational age for neonatal intensive care unit admission, jaundice, neonatal opioid withdrawal, thermoregulation, and sepsis evaluation. Respondents reported their current practice and preferences for an alternative approach. We administered the survey to individuals in the membership email distribution lists of the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, the National Association of Neonatal Nurses, and the Vermont Oxford Network. RESULTS: Of 2284 respondents, 53% believed that infants were, in general, admitted to a higher level of care than was required, and only 13% reported that the level of care was too low. Length of stay was perceived to be generally too long by 46% of respondents and too short by 21%. Across 10 specific clinical questions, there was substantial variability in current practice and up to 35% of respondents reported discordance between current and preferred practice. These respondents preferred a lower level of care in 8 of 10 scenarios. CONCLUSIONS: A multidisciplinary sample of US clinicians reported significant variation in the level and duration of care for infants with low illness acuity. Among individuals reporting discordance between current and preferred practice, a majority believed that current management could be accomplished in a lower level of care location.

Descriptive Epidemiology of Isolated Distal Radius Fractures in Children: Results From a Prospective Multicenter Registry.

INTRODUCTION: More than 1 in 4 pediatric fractures involves the distal radius. Most prior epidemiologic studies are limited to retrospective, single center investigations, and often include adults. This study aims to describe the contemporary epidemiology of pediatric distal radius fractures using prospectively collected data from a multicenter Pediatric Distal Radius Fracture Registry. METHODS: Patients aged 4 to 18 years diagnosed with a distal radius fracture from June 2018 through December 2019 at 4 tertiary care pediatric centers were screened and enrolled in this prospective longitudinal cohort study. Patients were excluded if they presented with bilateral distal radius fractures, polytrauma, or re-fracture. Demographic information, mechanism of injury, fracture characteristics, associated injuries, and procedural information were recorded. All radiographs were reviewed and measured. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: A total of 1951 patients were included. The mean age was 9.9±3.3 years, and 61.3% of patients were male ( P <0.001). Most injuries occurred during a high-energy fall (33.5%) or sports participation (28.4%). The greatest proportion of fractures occurred during the spring months (38.5%). Torus fractures (44.0%) were more common than bicortical (31.3%) or physeal (21.0%) fractures. Of the physeal fractures, 84.3% were Salter-Harris type II. Associated ulnar fractures were observed in 51.2% of patients. The mean age at injury was higher for patients with physeal fractures (11.6±2.9 y) than patients with torus or bicortical fractures (9.4±3.1 and 9.6±3.1 y, respectively; P <0.001). Thirty-six percent of distal radius fractures underwent closed reduction and 3.3% underwent surgical fixation. Patients treated with closed reduction were more likely to be male (68.7% vs. 57.2%; P <0.001), obese (25.3% vs. 17.2%; P <0.001), and have bicortical fractures (62.2% vs. 14.5%; P <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Distal radius fractures in children have a male preponderance and are most likely to occur in the spring months and during high-energy falls and sports. Physeal fractures tend to occur in older children while torus and bicortical fractures tend to occur in younger children. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I-prognostic.

In vitro effect of low-fluoride toothpaste supplemented with sodium trimetaphosphate, xylitol, and erythritol on enamel demineralization

Abstract Regular use of toothpaste with fluoride (F) concentrations of ≥ 1000 ppm has been shown to contribute to reducing caries increment. However, when used by children during the period of dental development, it can lead to dental fluorosis. Objective: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the in vitro effect of a toothpaste formulation with reduced fluoride (F) concentration (200 ppm) supplemented with sodium trimetaphosphate (TMP: 0.2%), Xylitol (X:16%), and Erythritol (E: 4%) on dental enamel demineralization. Methodology: Bovine enamel blocks were selected according to initial surface hardness (SHi) and then divided into seven experimental toothpaste groups (n=12). These groups included 1) no F-TMP-X-E (Placebo); 2) 16% Xylitol and 4% Erythritol (X-E); 3) 16% Xylitol, 4% Erythritol and 0.2%TMP (X-E-TMP); 4) 200 ppm F (no X-E-TMP: (200F)); 5) 200 ppm F and 0.2% TMP (200F-TMP); 200 ppm F, 16% Xylitol, 4% Erythritol, and 0.2% TMP (200F-X-E-TMP); and 7) 1,100 ppm F (1100F). Blocks were individually treated 2×/day with slurries of toothpastes and subjected to a pH cycling regimen for five days (DES: 6 hours and RE: 18 hours). Then, the percentage of surface hardness loss (%SH), integrated loss of subsurface hardness (ΔKHN), fluoride (F), calcium (Ca), and phosphorus (P) in enamel were determined. The data were analyzed by ANOVA (1-criterion) and the Student-Newman-Keuls test (p<0.001). Results: We found that the 200F-X-E-TMP treatment reduced %SH by 43% compared to the 1100F treatments (p<0.001). The ΔKHN was ~ 65% higher with 200F-X-E-TMP compared to 1100F (p<0.001). The highest concentration of F in enamel was observed on the 1100F treatment (p<0.001). The 200F-X-E-TMP treatment promote higher increase of Ca and P concentration in the enamel (p<0.001). Conclusion: The association of 200F-X-E-TMP led to a significant increase of the protective effect on enamel demineralization compared to the 1100F toothpaste.

Impact of fluvoxamine on outpatient treatment of COVID-19 in Honduras in a prospective observational real-world study.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted millions of lives globally. While COVID-19 did not discriminate against developed or developing nations, it has been a significant challenge for third world countries like Honduras to have widespread availability of advanced therapies. The concept of early treatment was almost unheard of when early outpatient treatments utilizing repurposed drugs in Latin American countries began showing promising results. One such drug is fluvoxamine, which has shown tremendous potential in two major studies. As a direct result, fluvoxamine was added to the standard of care in a major medical center outpatient COVID-19 clinic. Methods: This is a prospective observational study performed at the Hospital Centro Médico Sampedrano (CEMESA) in San Pedro Sula, Cortes, Honduras in the COVID-19 outpatient clinic. All patients were at least 15 years of age who had presented with mild or moderate signs and symptoms of COVID-19, and who also had a documented positive SARS-CoV-2 antigen or Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) were included in the study. These patients then were all prescribed fluvoxamine. The cohort of patients who decided to take fluvoxamine were compared for primary endpoints of mortality and hospitalization risk to the cohort who did not take fluvoxamine. Patients were then monitored for 30 days with the first follow up at 7 days and the second follow up at 10-14 days of symptom onset. Categorical variables were compared by Pearson Chi-square test. The Relative risk was calculated using regression models. Continuous variables were compared by t-test and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. Results: Out of total 657 COVID-19 cases, 594 patients took fluvoxamine and 63 did not take fluvoxamine. A total of five patients (0.76 percent) died, with only one death occurring in the fluvoxamine group. Patients who received fluvoxamine had a significantly lower relative risk of mortality (RR 0.06, p 0.011, 95% CI 0.007-0.516). There was a lower relative risk of hospitalization in the patients who in the fluvoxamine group. (-10 vs. 30 hospitalizations, RR 0.49, p = 0.035, 95% CI 0.26-0.95). There was 73 percent reduction in relative risk of requiring oxygen in the fluvoxamine group (RR 0.27, p < 0.001, 95% CI 0.14-0.54 Mean lymphocytes count on the first follow-up visit was significantly higher in the fluvoxamine group (1.72 vs. 1.38, Δ 0.33, p 0.007, CI 0.09-0.58). Conclusion: The results of our study suggest that fluvoxamine lowers the relative risk of death, hospitalization, and oxygen requirement in COVID 19 patients.

Synergic control in asymptomatic welders during multi-finger force exertion and load releasing while standing.

Motor synergies, i.e., neural mechanisms that organize multiple motor elements to ensure stability of actions, are affected by several neurological condition. Asymptomatic welders showed impaired synergy controlling the stability of multi-finger action compared to non-welders and this impairment was associated with microstructural damage in the globus pallidus. We further explored the effect of welding-related metal exposure on multi-finger synergy and extended our investigation to posture-stabilizing synergy during a standing task. Occupational, MRI, and performance-stabilizing synergies during multi-finger accurate force production and load releasing while standing were obtained from 29 welders and 19 age- and sex-matched controls. R2* and R1 relaxation rate values were used to estimate brain iron and manganese content, respectively, and diffusion tensor imaging was used to reflect brain microstructural integrity. Associations of brain MRI (caudate, putamen, globus pallidus, and red nucleus), and motor synergy were explored by group status. The results revealed that welders had higher R2* values in the caudate (p = 0.03), putamen (p = 0.01), and red nucleus (p = 0.08, trend) than controls. No group effect was revealed on multi-finger synergy index during steady-state phase of action (ΔVZss). Compared to controls, welders exhibited lower ΔVZss (-0.106 ± 0.084 vs. 0.160 ± 0.092, p = 0.04) and variance that did not affect the performance variable (VUCM, 0.022 ± 0.003 vs. 0.038 ± 0.007, p = 0.03) in the load releasing, postural task. The postural synergy index, ΔVZss, was associated negatively with higher R2* in the red nucleus in welders (r = -0.44, p = 0.03), but not in controls. These results suggest that the synergy index in the load releasing during a standing task may reflect welding-related neurotoxicity in workers with chronic metals exposure. This finding may have important clinical and occupational health implications.

Microplastic transfer from the American horseshoe crab to shorebirds through consumption of horseshoe crab eggs in Jamaica Bay, NY.

Microplastic transfer between horseshoe crabs (Limulus polyphemus) and migratory shorebirds through consumption of crab eggs was examined in Jamaica Bay, New York. Fertilized and unfertilized crab eggs, shorebird fecal pellets, beach sand, and bay water were processed with a hydrogen peroxide solution to remove organic material, then stained with a Nile Red to identify microplastics using fluorescence microscopy. Microplastics were present in all samples and ranged from approximately26-1300 µm. Unfertilized and fertilized eggs contained significantly higher numbers of microplastic particles per gram than shorebird fecal pellets, beach sand, and bay water. The presence of microplastics in unfertilized egg samples indicates that microplastics undergo maternal transfer during oogenesis. We estimated that 1 g of horseshoe crab eggs could contain approximately 426 to 840 microplastic particles, suggesting that shorebirds feeding on this resource could be ingesting a substantial burden of microplastics during their migratory stopover, much of which appears to be retained by shorebirds, rather than being eliminated in their fecal pellets.

Gastrointestinal metabolism and bioaccessibility of selected anthocyanins isolated from commonly consumed fruits.

There is uncertainty about the identity of digestive metabolites of anthocyanins because many are naturally present in foods and/or are formed from other phenolic compounds during the digestive process. Studies using pure anthocyanins are needed to clarify this uncertainty. In this study, selected anthocyanins were purified from common fruits and individually subjected to gastric and small intestinal digestion in vitro to determine their stability, metabolites generated and bioaccessibility. Anthocyanins were highly stable during the gastric phase of simulated digestion (p > 0.05). The recovery of anthocyanins decreased during the small intestinal phase of digestion (p < 0.05). Stability was dependent on anthocyanidin structure and type of glycation (p < 0.05). Gastric and gastrointestinal phases mainly contained anthocyanins as bioaccessible flavylium cations and chalcones. Expected anthocyanin metabolites (i.e., phenolic acids and phoroglucinaldehyde) were not detected in chyme. Deglycation of anthocyanins during simulated digestion was quite limited and the bioaccessibility of intact anthocyanins was very low (0.07-2.21%).

Intraoperative Imaging in Total Hip Arthroplasty Is Cost-Effective Regardless of Surgical Approach.

BACKGROUND: Component positioning in total hip arthroplasty (THA) may be improved with utilization of intraoperative imaging. The purpose of this study is to determine if intraoperative imaging during THA is cost-effective. METHODS: A break-even analysis was used as a model for cost-effectiveness, which incorporates cost of imaging (including direct charges and the additional time required for imaging), rate of revision surgery, and cost of revision surgery, yielding a final revision rate that needs to be achieved with use of intraoperative imaging in order for its use to be cost-effective. Absolute risk reduction (ARR) is determined by the difference between the initial revision rate and final revision rate. RESULTS: At an anticipated institutional cost of $120 and requiring 4 additional minutes, intraoperative fluoroscopy would be cost-effective if the baseline rate of revision due to component mispositioning (0.62%) is reduced to 0.46%. Intraoperative flat plate radiographs ($127) are cost-effective at an ARR of 0.16%. Cost-effectiveness is achieved with lower ARR in the setting of lower imaging costs ($15, ARR 0.02%), and higher ARR with higher imaging costs ($225, ARR 0.29%). ARR for cost-effectiveness is independent of baseline revision rate, but varies with the cost of revision procedures. CONCLUSION: At current revision rates for component malpositioning, only 1 revision among 400 THAs needs to be prevented for the utilization of fluoroscopy (or 1 in 385 THAs with flat plate imaging), to achieve cost-effectiveness.

Detection, quantification, and characterization of Salmonella enterica in mango, tomato, and raw chicken purchased in the central region of Mexico.

To estimate human exposure to Salmonella enterica, it is essential to understand the pathogen distribution and characteristics. Prevalence and concentration of S. enterica were determined in mango, tomato, and raw chicken samples purchased in three states (Aguascalientes, Querétaro, and Guadalajara) located in the central region of Mexico during two seasons. In addition, S. enterica isolates were characterized by absence/presence of 13 virulence genes (chromosomal, prophage, and plasmid) and resistance to 14 antibiotics. A total of 300 samples of mango, 272 of tomato, and 354 of raw chicken were analyzed. The mean of the prevalence (24.9%) and concentration (-0.61 Log MPN/g) of S. enterica in chicken was higher than in mango (1.3%, -1.7 Log MPN/g) and tomato (1.1%, -1.7 Log MPN). Among S. enterica isolates (284), there were 7 different virulotypes, belonging 68.7% of isolates to V2; there was high variability in the presence of mobile genetic elements. The occurrence of specific mobile elements ranged from 81.4% to 11.3% among isolates. Among the isolates, 91.5% were resistant to at least one antibiotic with ampicillin being the most frequent; 54.9% of isolates were multidrug resistant. Data from this study can be used for quantitative microbial risk assessment of S. enterica related to mango, tomato, and raw chicken consumption in the central region of Mexico. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Data on the prevalence and concentration of Salmonella enterica obtained in this study can be used to estimate the exposure assessment for the consumption of mango, tomato, and chicken in the central region of Mexico. In addition, the characteristics of the S. enterica isolates could be used to select representative strains for future studies to evaluate the intraspecies variability.

Maternal-Fetal Immunologic Response to SARS-CoV-2 Infection in a Symptomatic Vulnerable Population: A Prospective Cohort.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disproportionally affects pregnant women and their newborn; however, little is known about variables that modulate maternal-fetal immune response to infection. METHODS: We prospectively studied socioeconomic, biologic, and clinical factors affecting humoral immunity in 87 unvaccinated pregnant women hospitalized in Buenos Aires for symptoms consistent with COVID-19. RESULTS: The number of days between symptom onset and childbirth predicted maternal and newborn virus spike protein receptor binding domain (RBD)-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG). These findings suggest newborns may benefit less when mothers deliver soon after COVID-19 infection. Similarly, a longer time between symptom onset and birth predicted higher in utero transfer of maternal IgG and its concentration in cord blood. Older gestational age at birth was associated with lower maternal to cord blood IgG ratio. Of women with confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, 87% developed RBD-specific IgA responses in breast milk within 96 hours of childbirth. IgA was not significantly associated with time from infection but correlated with maternal serum IgG and placental transfer. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate the combined role of biologic, clinical, and socioeconomic variables associated with maternal RBD-specific antibodies and supports early vaccination strategies for COVID-19 in socioeconomically vulnerable pregnant women. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NCT04362956.

Outcomes of a Community-Based Participatory Research Partnership Self-Evaluation: The Rochester Healthy Community Partnership Experience.

BACKGROUND: Community-based participatory research (CBPR) can effectively address health disparities among groups that are historically difficult to reach, disadvantaged, of a minority status, or are otherwise underrepresented in research. Recent research has focused on the science of CBPR partnership constructs and on developing and testing tools for self-evaluation. Because CBPR requires substantial investment in human and material resources, specific factors that support successful and sustainable research partnerships must be identified. We sought to describe the evolution, implementation, and results of a self-evaluation of a CBPR partnership. METHODS: Academic and community members of the Rochester Healthy Community Partnership (RHCP) and researchers from the University of New Mexico-Center for Participatory Research collaborated to evaluate RHCP with qualitative and quantitative research methods and group analysis. RESULTS: The self-evaluation was used to provide an overall picture of the "health" of the partnership, in terms of sustainability and ability to effectively collaborate around community priorities. RHCP members revisited the partnership's mission and values; identified associations between partnership practices, dynamics, and outcomes; and elicited insight from community and academic partners to help guide decisions about future directions and the sustainability of the partnership. Positive partnership dynamics were associated with perceived improvements in health and equity outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Although engaging in a comprehensive self-evaluation requires substantial investment from stakeholders, such assessments have significant value because they enable partners to reflect on the mission and values of the partnership, explore the history and context for its existence, identify factors that have contributed to outcomes, and plan strategically for the future.