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Comparison of virulence of various hantaviruses related to hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in newborn mouse model.

The virulence of hantaviruses that are antigenically related but have different genetic characteristics from the prototype of hantavirus, Hantaan (HTN) virus, was examined in newborn mice. The H5 and B78 strains of the Amur (AMR) genotype, the Bao14 strain of the Far East (FE) genotype, and the 76-118 strain of HTN virus were inoculated subcutaneously (1focus-forming unit; FFU) into newborn mice. All of the AMR and FE genotype viruses inoculated mice were died by 16 days post-infection (dpi) and 21 dpi, respectively, while 50% of the HTN virus inoculated mice survived until 30 dpi. The AMR and FE genotype viruses inoculated mice had high viral titers in the lung (1.3x10(6) to 1.3x10(8) FFU/gram [g] tissue) , brain (2.1x10(7) to 1.2x10(9) FFU/g tissue), and kidney(2.5x10(5) to 1.6x10(7) FFU/g tissue), and showed a detectable level of antibodies (titers 1:16-1:32) at 14 dpi. In contrast, the HTN virus infected mice had viruses only in the lungs at low titers (1.1-5.3x10(5) FFU/g tissue). Observations of body-weight changes revealed that the AMR and FE genotype viruses inoculated mice had lower growth rates than the HTN virus inoculated mice. These data suggest that the AMR and FE genotype viruses are more virulent than the HTN virus in newborn mice.

Animals↗

Modification of thermosensitivity by amrubicin or amrubicinol in human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells and the kinetics of apoptosis and necrosis induction.

The effects of amrubicin (AMR) and its active metabolite, amrubicinol (AMROH), on the sensitivity of human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cell line to hyperthermia at 44 degrees C were investigated. The cell phase response as well as the kinetics of apoptosis and necrosis induction were also analyzed. The cytocidal effects of 44 degrees C hyperthermia on A549 cells exhibited low thermosensitivity with a T(0) value of 12 min. The slope of the survival curve in the exponential phase, described semilogarithmically, in 44 degrees C hyperthermia combined treatment with AMROH (0.02 microg/ml) was approximately parallel to 44 degrees C hyperthermia alone. The initial shoulder shape portion of the survival curve from 44 degrees C hyperthermia alone, indicating the repair of sublethal thermal damage (SLTDR), was reduced with the sequential combined treatment of AMR or AMROH. Sequential treatments with AMR or AMROH prior to 44 degrees C hyperthermia resulted in additive thermo-enhancement effect by reducing not only survival but was shoulder wide. Furthermore, like AMR and AMROH, adriamycin (ADM) and etoposide (VP-16) are DNA topoisomerase II inhibitors, and the effects of these 4 agents on 44 degrees C hyperthermia were compared. All 4 agents exhibited comparable thermo-enhancement effects. Using synchronized A549 cells, AMR or AMROH did not elicit cell phase responses, irrespective of the concentration. The induction of apoptosis was investigated at 48 and 72 h after AMROH treatment, 44 degrees C hyperthermia or the combined treatment, in which apoptosis was not significantly induced after any treatment. Furthermore, the incidence of necrosis was examined as well as apoptosis. The incidence of necrosis at 48 and 72 h after AMROH was 2.4 and 4.3%, respectively; after 44 degrees C hyperthermia was 3.3 and 4.0%, respectively; and after the combined treatment it was 10.7 and 8.7%, respectively. The necrosis induced after the combined treatment was circa 3 times higher than that in either of the single treatments.

Adenocarcinoma↗

[A case of small-cell lung cancer effectively treated by bi-weekly administration of amrubicin].

The patient was a 62-year-old man with small-cell lung cancer (limited disease). He was treated with cisplatin (CDDP) plus etoposide(ETP) and concurrent radiotherapy as first-line treatment. Although a complete response was achieved, his pro-GRP elevated 10 months later. He was treated with several anticancer agents including, CDDP plus irinotecan (CPT-11), CPT-11, paclitaxel and amrubicin (AMR). Although, as a monotherapy, the administration of AMR (30 mg/m(2)) for 3 consecutive days (3-day schedule) seemed to be most effective, severe myelosuppression was observed, and this treatment was discontinued. We changed the treatment schedule to biweekly administration of AMR (30 mg/m(2)). The level of pro-GRP decreased, and it was maintained at a similar level for 7 months. No severe toxicity was observed during this period. This case suggests that the bi-weekly administration of AMR may be a useful option for the treatment of small-cell lung cancer when a 3-day AMR schedule is highly myelosuppressive.

Anthracyclines↗

[The effect of China-made amrinone on myocardial infarction and arrhythmia in dogs].

Six dogs underwent 15 min left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery occlusion (CAO) with 1 hour's reperfusion for 3 times. Fifteen min after CAO (control), CAO during amrinone (Amr), and CAO during isoprenaline, sigma ST (mV) and ST (mV) were 66 +/- 26 and 8 +/- 2.72 +/- 61 and 9 +/- 4.90 +/- 48 and 11 +/- 6 respectively, 24h after LAD CAO, dP/dt max (kPa/s) and HR (heart beats/min) were 483 +/- 93 and 211 +/- 36 respectively. Intravenous Amr by 1, 5, 3 and 6 mg/kg increased dP/dt max to 630 +/- 79, 583 +/- 116 and 500 +/- 148; HR to 223 +/- 44, 232 +/- 45 and 239 +/- 54; and also decreased SBP, DBP and LVEDP. Amr caused neither change in percentage of non-sinus beats, nor ventricular fibrillation. These results suggested that in myocardial infarction and arrhythmia, Amr could still be of positive inotropic effect. Amr worsened myocardial infarction in nonfailing heart, but it did not aggravated arrhythmia after myocardial infarction.

Amrinone↗

Mortality associated with anaesthesia at Zimbabwean teaching hospitals.

OBJECTIVE: To determine and analyse peri-operative mortality with particular emphasis on avoidable factors, in the hope that this information will lead to an improvement in standards. DESIGN: Review of all anaesthetic-associated deaths (AADs) during the year 1992. All available records were scrutinised and further information was obtained from mortality meetings and confidential discussions. SETTING: Harare Central and Parirenyatwa hospitals, which are referral centres. PATIENTS: Out of 34,553 subjects presenting for surgical procedures, there were 89 deaths between 1 January and 31 December 1992. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence of AAD, avoidable mortality rate (AMR) and classification of avoidable surgical, anaesthetic and administrative factors. MAIN RESULTS: The incidence of AAD per 1,000 anaesthetics was 2.58. (AAD was defined as death within 24 hours of anaesthesia or failure of a patient, who was previously conscious, to regain consciousness.) There were avoidable factors in 45 (51%) of the deaths. The overall AMR was 1.34 per 1,000 operations (death classified as avoidable if mismanagement contributed to mortality). The AMR (surgical), AMR (anaesthetic) and AMR (administrative) were 0.80, 0.33 and 0.21 respectively. Scoring in each category of avoidability was done proportionately, with a maximum of one point per death awarded where there were avoidable factors). The commonest avoidable factors (in order of frequency) were uncontrolled haemorrhage, poor postoperative management, poor pre-operative management and anastomotic dehiscence. CONCLUSIONS: This audit reveals that there were avoidable factors in 51% of peri-operative deaths. It should be possible to reduce the mortality rate by developing preventive measures.

Adolescent↗

Modelling energetic costs of fish swimming.

The oxygen consumption rates of two cyprinid fishes, carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) and roach (Rutilus rutilus (L.)), were analysed for a wide range of body mass and swimming speed by computerized intermittent-flow respirometry. Bioenergetic models were derived, based on fish mass (M) and swimming speed (U), to predict the minimal speed and mass-specific active metabolic rate (AMR) in these fishes (AMR=aMbUc). Mass and speed together explained more than 90% of the variance in total swimming costs in both cases. The derived models show that carp consume far more oxygen at a specific speed and body mass, thus being less efficient in energy use during swimming than roach. It was further found that in carp (AMR=0.02M0.8U0.95) the metabolic increment during swimming is more strongly effected by speed, whereas in roach (AMR=0.02M0.93U0.6) it is more strongly effected by body mass. The different swimming traits of carp and roach are suitable for their respective lifestyles and ecological demands.

Animals↗

Sp1 binds to the adhesion-molecule-on-glia regulatory element that functions as a positive transcription regulatory element in astrocytes.

We analyzed cis-acting elements regulating the expression of the gene encoding adhesion molecule on glia (AMOG) in primary cultured astrocytes from newborn rat cerebrum and cerebellum. The relative promoter activities among the series of 5' sequential deletion mutants are similar to those observed in B103 (rat neuroblastoma cell line) cells. The previously identified AMRE (AMOG regulatory element) of the GAGGCGGGG sequence functions as a positive regulatory element, not only in B103 cells, but also in astrocytes. Binding factors to the element were identified as Sp1 based on the following observations using nuclear extracts from the astrocytes and B103 cells: (1) The interaction of the factors with AMRE analyzed by DNase I footprinting and methylation interference analyses was similar to that of Sp1; (2) The binding of the factors to AMRE competed with an oligonucleotide containing the authentic Sp1 consensus sequence; (3) Sp1-specific antibody interfered with the formation of the AMRE gel retardation complexes. The functional implications of the factors in AMOG gene regulation are discussed.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Genetic and metabolic control of the purine catabolic enzymes of Neurospora crasse.

Neurospora crassa can utilize various purine bases such as xanthine or uric acid and their catabolic products as a nitrogen source. Four classes of mutants which affect the purine degradative pathway were isolated and studied. Mutants of the aln-1 class specifically lack allantoinase, while alc-1 mutants lack allantoicase. Mutants designated as xdh-1 cannot utilize hypoxanthine as a nitrogen source and are presumed to be deficient in xanthine dehydrogenase activity. A regulatory mutant, amr, was found to have only very low, uninduced levels of uricase, allantoinase, and allantoicase. None of these genes are closely linked to each other. The three initial enzymes involved in the catabolism of uric acid are controlled in a complex manner by both induction and repression. Several lines of evidence indicate that the true inducer of uricase and allantoicase is uric acid. The use of the newly isolated mutant strains made it possible to demonstrate that neither allantoin nor allantoic acid could act as inducers. Furthermore, hypoxanthine itself was shown to be ineffective as an inducer although it can be metabolized to form an inducer. A non-metabolizable analogue of uric acid, 8-azaxanthine, is a gratuitous inducer of these enzymes. Uricase and allantoicase were found to be synthesized coordinately, but they were not coordinately regulated with allantoinase. Both uricase and allantoicase are stable enzymes and do not undergo turnover; nor are they subject to feedback inhibition by ammonia. Allantoinase, however, is quite labile both in vivo and in vitro. This enzyme was found to turnover in vivo in the presence of cycloheximide with a half-life of approximately 20 minutes. The amr (for ammonia regulation) mutant cannot utilize a wide range of compounds, including purines, nitrate, and many amino acids as a nitrogen source and also displays a multiple enzyme loss. The amr gene appears to play a major role in the control of nitrogen metabolism. It is postulated that the amr locus encodes a regulatory protein which is required to activate transcription of the structural genes for a group of related enzymes involved in nitrogen metabolism.

Allantoin↗

Antimicrobial resistance landscape in a metropolitan city context using open drain wastewater-based metagenomic analysis.

One Health concept recognizes the inextricable interactions of diverse ecosystems and their subsequent effect on human, animal and plant health. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major One Health concern and is predicted to cause catastrophes if appropriate measures are not implemented. To understand the AMR landscape in a south Indian metropolitan city, metagenomic analysis of open drains was performed. The data suggests that in January 2022, macrolide class of antibiotics contributed the highest resistance of 40.1% in the city, followed by aminoglycoside- 24.4%, tetracycline- 11.3% and lincosamide- 6.7%. The 'mutations in the 23S rRNA gene conferring resistance to macrolide antibiotics' were the major contributor of resistance with a prevalence of 39.7%, followed by '16s rRNA with mutation conferring resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics'- 22.2%, '16S rRNA with mutation conferring resistance to tetracycline derivatives'- 9.2%, and '23S rRNA with mutation conferring resistance to lincosamide antibiotics'- 6.7%. The most prevalent antimicrobial resistance gene (ARG) 'mutations in the 23S rRNA gene conferring resistance to macrolide antibiotics' was present in multiple pathogens including Escherichia coli, Campylobacter jejuni, Acinetobacter baumannii, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Helicobacter pylori. Most of the geographical locations in the city showed a similar landscape for AMR. Considering human mobility and anthropogenic activities, such an AMR landscape could be common across other regions too. The data indicates that pathogens are evolving and acquiring antibiotic resistance genes to evade antibiotics of multiple major drug classes in diverse hosts. The outcomes of the study are relevant not only in understanding the resistance landscape at a broader level but are also important for identifying the resistant drug classes, the mechanisms of gaining resistance and for developing new drugs that target specific pathways. This kind of surveillance protocol can be extended to regions in other developing countries to assess and combat the problem of antimicrobial resistance.

Cities↗

Linked-color imaging with computer-aided detection and the proximal adenoma miss rate: a randomized tandem trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Linked-color imaging (LCI) aids the detection and characterization of lesions. Computer-aided detection (CADe) systems have been introduced to improve lesion detection during colonoscopy. Although several studies have been reported regarding LCI, few have investigated the combination of LCI and CADe. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of LCI with CADe colonoscopy compared to conventional white-light colonoscopy. METHODS: A single-center, randomized tandem trial was conducted. Participants referred for first-time colonoscopy after fecal immunochemical test (FIT)-positive, asymptomatic screening, or surveillance colonoscopy were randomized (1:1) to undergo CADe-assisted colonoscopy of LCI or white-light imaging (WLI) in the right side of the colon. The primary outcome was adenoma miss rate (AMR) in the right side of the colon. Secondary outcomes included polyp miss rate (PMR), diminutive adenoma miss rate (dAMR), sessile serrated lesion miss rate (SSLMR), advanced adenoma miss rate, advanced neoplasia miss rate, flat-type lesion miss rate (FMR), and the differences in miss rates based on expertise. RESULTS: Among 232 randomized participants, 209 were analyzed (LCI/CADe: 102; WLI: 107). AMR (WLI: 39% vs LCI/CADe: 20%; P = .001), PMR (42% vs 18%; P < .001), and dAMR (42% vs 21%; P = .003) were significantly lower in the LCI/CADe arm, particularly among experts. SSLMR (46% vs 0%), advanced AMR (30% vs 0%), advanced neoplasia miss rate (25% vs 0%), and FMR (27% vs 5.6%) were lower in LCI/CADe, although without statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to conventional colonoscopy, LCI with CADe colonoscopy resulted in a statistically significant decrease, especially in AMR. (UMIN 000050685).

Humans↗

Whole-genome sequencing, strain composition, and predicted antimicrobial resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae causing invasive disease in England in 2017-20: a prospective national surveillance study.

BACKGROUND: Surveillance of the invasive disease burden caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae in England is performed by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). In 2017, UKHSA switched from phenotypic methods to whole-genome sequencing (WGS) approaches for pneumococcal surveillance. Here, we present the first results of national WGS surveillance, up to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the aim of describing the population genomics of this important pathogen. METHODS: We examined prospective national surveillance data from England, using bacterial isolates from cases of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) submitted to the national reference laboratory at UKHSA. A bioinformatic pipeline was developed to quality control WGS data and routinely report species and serotype. We assembled isolate data, assigned global pneumococcal sequencing clusters (GPSCs), and predicted antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles for isolates that passed further quality control. We collected additional data on patient outcomes and characteristics using enhanced surveillance questionnaires completed by patients' general practitioners. We used logistic regression analysis to assess the effects of various genomic and patient characteristics on the outcomes of IPD. FINDINGS: In England, between July 1, 2017, and Feb 29, 2020, there were 15&#x2009;400 cases of IPD. From these cases, 13&#x2009;749 (89&#xb7;3%) isolates were sequenced, passed quality control, and were included in analyses. Serotype diversity was high during the study period, with 2751 (20%) isolates serotyped as 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) types, whereas serotype 8 was the most prevalent serotype (n=3074 [22&#xb7;4%]) overall. There were 157 GPSCs within the collection, with GSPC3 the most common, encompassing 98&#xb7;7% (3033 of 3074) of serotype 8 isolates. Most isolates (n=10&#x2009;198 [74&#xb7;2%]) did not contain AMR-associated genes. Resistance to co-trimoxazole was the most frequently predicted resistance (n=2331 [17%]), followed by resistance to tetracycline (n=1199 [8&#xb7;7%]) and &#x3b2;-lactams (n=1149 [8&#xb7;4%]). Logistic regression analysis found the presence of AMR-associated genes significantly increased the odds of patient death (odds ratio 1&#xb7;18, 95% CI 1&#xb7;01-1&#xb7;38). Some GPSCs were also associated with a significant increase in the odds of patient death, such as GPSC12 (1&#xb7;88, 1&#xb7;48-2&#xb7;38). Isolates from 2018 were associated with a significant increase in the odds of patient death (1&#xb7;12, 1&#xb7;00-1&#xb7;25), whereas younger patient age was significantly associated with a reduction in the odds of patient death compared with being aged 85 years or older. INTERPRETATION: WGS-based surveillance has allowed us to interrogate country-wide population dynamics driving changes in pneumococcal serotype frequency. Here, we observe a stable but diverse population before the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions were enforced in England, with low rates of AMR. These findings will provide the baseline for pandemic and post-pandemic data, to collectively inform implementation and development of the vaccination programme within the country. FUNDING: None.

Streptococcus pneumoniae↗

Selecting candidate Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains for oropharyngeal gonorrhoea human challenge: a genomics-based analysis of clinical isolates.

BACKGROUND: Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a human pathogen of major public health importance due to its increasing global prevalence and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Evidence suggests that oropharyngeal infection plays a key role in N gonorrhoeae transmission and AMR; however, our understanding of oropharyngeal gonorrhoea pathogenesis is poor. A controlled human infection model (CHIM) for oropharyngeal gonorrhoea will improve understanding of infection and accelerate urgently needed novel gonorrhoea prevention and therapeutic strategies. As the first step in the development of this CHIM, we describe a systematic approach to CHIM strain selection that leverages genomics and clinical data. METHODS: In this genomics-based analysis, we applied a systematic N gonorrhoeae challenge strain selection strategy incorporating genomic and clinical data to a primary dataset of clinical isolates of N gonorrhoeae collected from adult patients in Victoria, Australia, between Jan 1 and Dec 31, 2017, and July 1, 2019, and June 30, 2021. This selection strategy used clinical, phenotypic, and genomic characteristics to define a set of eight criteria that aimed to ensure the contemporary global clinical relevance of the candidate strains; select strains that would be applicable for the assessment of current and future gonorrhoea vaccines; and maximise participant safety by reducing the risk of disseminated gonococcal infection and clinically significant AMR. We applied these criteria to our primary dataset to generate a panel of potential challenge strains. From this final dataset of potential challenge strains, we predetermined that we would select up to ten isolates to proceed to the next stage of detailed phenotypic characterisation for final N gonorrhoeae CHIM strain selection. FINDINGS: 5881 isolates comprised the primary dataset. After application of the selection criteria, most of the isolates (5795 [98&#xb7;6%] of 5881) were excluded, mostly due to having clinically significant AMR and poor contemporary global clinical relevance. The remaining 86 N gonorrhoeae challenge strain candidates comprised five multilocus sequence types and six N gonorrhoeae multiantigen sequence types, many of which were represented by a single isolate. Of these 86 strains, five isolates were selected to maximise coverage of the phylogenetically distinct groups within the 86 candidate challenge strains and ensure representation of strains collected from various anatomical sites. INTERPRETATION: We transparently describe a novel, systematic, and rational genomics-based strategy for oropharyngeal gonorrhoea CHIM strain selection that improves the efficiency and transparency of CHIM strain selection and enables identification of contemporary and clinically relevant potential challenge strains. A final N gonorrhoeae challenge strain will be selected from the subset of five shortlisted candidates after detailed phenotypic assessment. FUNDING: Medical Research Future Fund, Australian National Health and Medical Research Council and Australian Government Research Training Program.

Humans↗

Prospective characterisation of drug-resistant bloodstream infections in Africa and Asia (ACORN2): a surveillance network assessment.

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global health threat, but there is scarcity of laboratory surveillance data linked to clinical information to determine burden and inform interventions, especially from low-income and middle-income countries. The ACORN2 study sought to address this through prospective case-based surveillance in 19 hospitals across Africa and Asia to characterise drug-resistant infections by origin, clinical syndrome, patient age, outcome, and geographical location. METHODS: Patients were enrolled on selected wards and clinical data were collected daily for community-acquired infections (CAIs). Point prevalence surveys for hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) were conducted weekly. Mortality was assessed at discharge and after 28 days. Linked microbiology data were extracted from local laboratory databases. Primary descriptive analyses focused on WHO Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System pathogen (target organism) bloodstream infections (BSIs). Comparisons were adjusted for clustering by site using random effects models. FINDINGS: Over 31 months, 41&#x2009;907 infections were characterised from 41&#x2009;032 admissions. Two-thirds were children (19&#x2009;351; 47&#xb7;2%) or neonates (6649; 16&#xb7;2%). There were marked differences in pathogen incidence and antibiotic resistance when clinical infections were stratified by patient age category and infection origin (CAI/HAI). The highest rates of target organism AMR BSI were third-generation cephalosporin-resistant (3GC-R) Escherichia coli (718&#xb7;56/100&#x2009;000 blood cultured infection episodes), meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (586&#xb7;89/100&#x2009;000 blood cultured infection episodes), and 3GC-R Klebsiella pneumoniae (364&#xb7;92/100&#x2009;000 blood cultured infection episodes). In-hospital mortality was 13&#xb7;1% (166/1265) in patients with target organism BSI versus 6&#xb7;2% (1357/21&#x2009;845) in those with negative blood cultures, p<0&#xb7;0001. INTERPRETATION: ACORN2 has shown practical implementation of collecting linked clinical-laboratory AMR data in low-income and middle-income countries and identified a significant burden of WHO GLASS BSI. Adoption of the ACORN2 approach at scale might enhance use of diagnostic microbiology and improve the volume of clinical data included in national and global AMR surveillance datasets. FUNDING: Wellcome.

Humans↗

The role of microbial genomics in delivering the UK's national action plan for confronting antimicrobial resistance 2024-29.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major threat to human and animal health, in addition to environmental resilience. Countries set the agenda on their national action against AMR in the form of National Action Plans (NAPs), with the UK's latest NAP released in May, 2024. Advances in genomics have strengthened our ability to work towards NAP priorities; however, to date, no mapping of the role genomics plays in contributing to specific goals within the NAP has been undertaken. The UK Research and Innovation-funded Transdisciplinary Antimicrobial Resistance Genomics Network brought together a range of stakeholders to discuss the role of genomics for action on AMR and to deliver policy priority-led research, as outlined in the UK NAP 2024-29. We report our discussions in this Personal View, with key roles for genomics, including informing targeted stewardship in health-care settings, supporting AMR literacy, and supporting effective antimicrobial innovation. However, changes in infrastructure, communication, and cross-sector coordination are needed to support implementation.

United Kingdom↗

Genomic characterisation of Enterococcus cecorum isolated from broiler chickens in the United Kingdom.

Enterococcus cecorum is an important poultry pathogen associated with lameness and increased mortality, leading to major welfare and economic impacts. Treatment is often challenging because disease is frequently detected late and the organism can localise in bone and joints, limiting antimicrobial efficacy. Presence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes may further complicate treatment. Despite increasing global genomic research, only one recent study has investigated the phylogeny of E. cecorum from conventional UK broiler farms, using limited samples and a restricted time frame. In this study, 283 E. cecorum isolates were analysed, including 158 from the United Kingdom and 125 global non&#x2011;UK isolates. UK isolates comprised 123 archived by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) between 2003 and 2022, predominantly from clinical outbreaks with increased welfare culling and mortality, and 35 isolates from a UK study including clinical and environmental samples. Genome sequencing was used to assess phylogeny, AMR determinants and virulence factors (VFs). Single nucleotide polymorphism phylogenetic analysis identified eight major UK lineages with limited intra&#x2011;lineage diversity, indicating that UK isolates were genetically distinct from non&#x2011;UK populations. Using a 60&#x2011;SNP threshold, APHA isolates formed 18 subclusters, consistent with long&#x2011;term persistence and recurrent farm transmission, while multiple subclusters detected on some farms suggested repeated introductions. UK isolates carried fewer AMR genes than non&#x2011;UK isolates, with erm(B), lnu(C), tet(M) and tet(L) most prevalent. Screening of VF genes identified nine genes present in all isolates, with the remainder variably distributed. A subset of 60 UK isolates was examined for 13 previously described virulence&#x2011;associated genes, with phylogenetic clustering indicating associations between gene presence or absence and clinical status or mortality classification. The capsular polysaccharide gene cpsO was assessed in this subset and most non&#x2011;clinical or environmental isolates were cpsO&#x2011;negative, although several isolates from high&#x2011;mortality outbreaks also lacked this gene. Overall, this study provides insight into the phylogeny, AMR profiles and virulence gene diversity of E. cecorum within the UK broiler sector, supporting targeted surveillance and investigation of pathogenic mechanisms.

Antimicrobial resistance↗

[Treatment of functional signs of acute maxillary rhinosinusitis in adults. Efficacy and tolerance of administration of oral prednisone for 3 days].

OBJECTIVE: Acute maxillary rhinosinusitis (AMRS) is a pathology in which the pain is often severe and requires appropriate treatment. Although the use of antibiotics is widely documented, the interest of short cycles of corticosteroids in the treatment of the functional manifestations of AMRS is based on professional experience. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and tolerance to prednisone administered for 3 days in addition to antibiotherapy in patients presenting with an AMRS. METHOD: This was a double blind, randomised study in parallel groups and controlled versus a placebo, involving patients aged over 18, presenting with an AMRS confirmed by X-ray and endoscopy, having developed less than 5 days and complaining of spontaneous pain assessed as >or=50 millimetres on a visual analog scale (VAS). Together with cefpodoxime, the patients received either prednisone (0.8 to 1.2 mg/kg) for 3 days or a placebo. The primary efficacy endpoint was the mean of the differences versus the baseline value of pain (MPID - mean pain intensity difference) assessed on the VAS from Day 1 to Day 3. The secondary endpoints assessed were the mean of the differences in intensity of nasal obstruction, assessed in the same way as the MPID, the time lapse before the orally expressed relief of the pain (PRID - pain reflief intensity difference) and the administration of paracetamol during the first 3 days. RESULTS: 289 patients (placebo 147, prednisone 142) were assessable for analysis in intent-to-treat (ITT). The global spontaneous pain on inclusion, measured by a VAS was of 73.0 +/- 14.1 mm. The assessments made during the first 3 days of treatment showed a statistically significant difference in favour of the prednisone group regarding MPID: - 4.82 mm (CI 95% -9.25; -0.40) (p=0.03), nasal obstruction - 5.0 mm (CI 95% -9.1; -0.8) (p=0.02) and consumption of paracetamol (p=0.03). There was no difference between the two groups after the end of the antibiotherapy. The tolerance measured throughout the study was comparable between the two groups. CONCLUSION: This study clearly showed the efficacy of a short course of oral prednisone (3 days), versus a placebo, in the treatment of the functional signs of acute maxillary rhinosinusitis with severe pain in adults in addition to an appropriate antibiotic treatment.

Acetaminophen↗

Role of copper ion in bacterial copper amine oxidase: spectroscopic and crystallographic studies of metal-substituted enzymes.

The role of the active site Cu(2+) of phenylethylamine oxidase from Arthrobacter globiformis (AGAO) has been studied by substitution with other divalent cations, where we were able to remove >99.5% of Cu(2+) from the active site. The enzymes reconstituted with Co(2+) and Ni(2+) (Co- and Ni-AGAO) exhibited 2.2 and 0.9% activities, respectively, of the original Cu(2+)-enzyme (Cu-AGAO), but their K(m) values for amine substrate and dioxygen were comparable. X-ray crystal structures of the Co- and Ni-AGAO were solved at 2.0-1.8 A resolution. These structures revealed changes in the metal coordination environment when compared to that of Cu-AGAO. However, the hydrogen-bonding network around the active site involving metal-coordinating and noncoordinating water molecules was preserved. Upon anaerobic mixing of the Cu-, Co-, and Ni-AGAO with amine substrate, the 480 nm absorption band characteristic of the oxidized form of the topaquinone cofactor (TPQ(ox)) disappeared rapidly (< 6 ms), yielding the aminoresorcinol form of the reduced cofactor (TPQ(amr)). In contrast to the substrate-reduced Cu-AGAO, the semiquinone radical (TPQ(sq)) was not detected in Co- and Ni-AGAO. Further, in the latter, TPQ(amr) reacted reversibly with the product aldehyde to form a species with a lambda(max) at around 350 nm that was assigned as the neutral form of the product Schiff base (TPQ(pim)). Introduction of dioxygen to the substrate-reduced Co- and Ni-AGAO resulted in the formation of a TPQ-related intermediate absorbing at around 360 nm, which was assigned to the neutral iminoquinone form of the 2e(-)-oxidized cofactor (TPQ(imq)) and which decayed concomitantly with the generation of TPQ(ox). The rate of TPQ(imq) formation and its subsequent decay in Co- and Ni-AGAO was slow when compared to those of the corresponding reactions in Cu-AGAO. The low catalytic activities of the metal-substituted enzymes are due to the impaired efficiencies of the oxidative half-reaction in the catalytic cycle of amine oxidation. On the basis of these results, we propose that the native Cu(2+) ion has essential roles such as catalyzing the electron transfer between TPQ(amr) and dioxygen, in part by providing a binding site for 1e(-)- and 2e(-)-reduced dioxygen species to be efficiently protonated and released and also preventing the back reaction between the product aldehyde and TPQ(amr).

Amine Oxidase (Copper-Containing)↗

Effects of alcohol on the acoustic reflex threshold in the chinchilla.

The effect of ethanol on the acoustic reflex threshold was examined in a repeated measure design study in six chinchillas. Each subject was weighed and orally administered the control (water) at a dosage of 7.5 ml/kg. Commencing 1 h after alcohol ingestion, the acoustic middle ear reflex measures (AMRs) were taken every other hour, for a total of four recording sessions. Ascending and descending trials were alternated between each recording session. Two weeks later the same chinchillas were administered 35% alcohol by volume. AMRs were recorded under the same conditions and procedures as for the control. Alcohol produced AMRs that were significantly elevated over baseline values 1 h after alcohol ingestion and four of the five had AMRs that remained elevated 3 h after ingestion.

Animals↗