Genome Sequence of Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli EC302/04, Isolated from a Human Tracheal Aspirate

Escherichia coli is an important etiologic agent of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI). Multidrug-resistant E. coli EC302/04 was isolated from a tracheal aspirate, and its genome sequence is expected to provide insights into antimicrobial resistance as well as adaptive and virulence mechanisms of E. coli involved in LRTI.     

Bifidobacteria-mediated immune system imprinting early in life

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The ABC’s of Suicide Risk Assessment: Applying a Tripartite Approach to Individual Evaluations

There is considerable need for accurate suicide risk assessment for clinical, screening, and research purposes. This study applied the tripartite affect-behavior-cognition theory, the suicidal barometer model, classical test theory, and item response theory (IRT), to develop a brief self-report measure of suicide risk that is theoretically-grounded, reliable and valid. An initial survey (n = 359) employed an iterative process to an item pool, resulting in the six-item Suicidal Affect-Behavior-Cognition Scale (SABCS). Three additional studies tested the SABCS and a highly endorsed comparison measure. Studies included two online surveys (Ns = 1007, and 713), and one prospective clinical survey (n = 72; Time 2, n = 54). Factor analyses demonstrated SABCS construct validity through unidimensionality. Internal reliability was high (α = .86-.93, split-half = .90-.94)). The scale was predictive of future suicidal behaviors and suicidality (r = .68, .73, respectively), showed convergent validity, and the SABCS-4 demonstrated clinically relevant sensitivity to change. IRT analyses revealed the SABCS captured more information than the comparison measure, and better defined participants at low, moderate, and high risk. The SABCS is the first suicide risk measure to demonstrate no differential item functioning by sex, age, or ethnicity. In all comparisons, the SABCS showed incremental improvements over a highly endorsed scale through stronger predictive ability, reliability, and other properties. The SABCS is in the public domain, with this publication, and is suitable for clinical evaluations, public screening, and research.     

HIV glycoprotein gp120 enhances mesenchymal stem cell migration by upregulating CXCR4 expression

Background

HIV infection and/or the direct pathogenic effects of circulating HIV proteins impairs the physiological function of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and contribute to the pathogenesis of age-related clinical comorbidities in people living with HIV. The SDF-1/CXCR4 pathway is vital for modulating MSC proliferation, migration and differentiation. HIV glycoprotein gp120 inhibits SDF-1 induced chemotaxis by downregulating the expression and function of CXCR4 in monocytes, B and T cells. The influence of gp120 on CXCR4 expression and migration in MSCs is unknown.

Cytology is useful in breast screening: results and long-term follow-up of the Singapore Breast Screening Pilot Project

OBJECTIVE: The Singapore Breast Screening Pilot Project (SBSPP) was embarked upon (1994-1997) to determine if mammography was useful in early breast cancer detection among Asian women. PATIENTS AND MEASUREMENTS: Of 28 231 women screened, fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) was performed in 232 individuals as part of the triple assessment. RESULTS: Absolute and complete sensitivities for the diagnosis of carcinoma were 46.7% and 82.2%, respectively, based on the results of FNAC. Specificity was 63.3%. The inadequate rate was 31%. Five women who were considered cancer-free on triple assessment and, in two cases open diagnostic biopsy during the SBSPP, subsequently developed breast cancer after a median follow-up of 6 years. CONCLUSION: Although our FNAC results compared relatively well with international standards, they reflect a small cohort, and may face additional difficulties in a larger programme.     

Responses of cultured rat trigeminal ganglion neurons to bitter tastants

The initial steps in taste and olfaction result from the activation by chemical stimuli of taste receptor cells (TRCs) and olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs). In parallel with these two pathways is the chemosensitive trigeminal pathway whose neurons terminate in the oral and nasal cavities and which are activated by many of the same chemical stimuli that activate TRCs and ORNs. In a recent single unit study we investigated the responses of rat chorda tympani and glossopharnygeal neurons to a variety of bitter-tasting alkaloids, including nicotine, yohimbine, quinine, strychnine and caffeine, as well as capsaicin, the pungent ingredient in hot pepper. Here we apply many of these same compounds to cultured rat trigeminal ganglion (TG) neurons and measure changes in intracellular calcium [Ca2+]i to determine whether TG neurons will respond to these same compounds. Of the 89 neurons tested, 34% responded to 1 mM nicotine, 7% to 1 mM caffeine, 5% to 1 mM denatonium benzoate, 22% to 1 mM quinine hydrochloride, 18% to 1 mM strychnine and 55% to 1 microM capsaicin. These data suggest that neurons from the TG respond to the same bitter-tasting chemical stimuli as do TRCs and are likely to contribute information sent to the higher CNS regarding the perception of bitter/irritating chemical stimuli.