Cultivation-based assays combined with PCR or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based methods for finding virulence factors are standard methods for detecting bacterial pathogens in stools; however, with emerging molecular technologies, new methods have become available. The aim of this study was to compare four distinct detection technologies for the identification of pathogens in stools from children under 5 years of age in The Gambia, Mali, Kenya, and Bangladesh. The children were identified, using currently accepted clinical protocols, as either controls or cases with moderate to severe diarrhea. A total of 3,610 stool samples were tested by established clinical culture techniques: 3,179 DNA samples by the Universal Biosensor assay (Ibis Biosciences, Inc.), 1,466 DNA samples by the GoldenGate assay (Illumina), and 1,006 DNA samples by sequencing of 16S rRNA genes. Each method detected different proportions of samples testing positive for each of seven enteric pathogens, enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC), enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), Shigella spp., Campylobacter jejuni, Salmonella enterica, and Aeromonas spp. The comparisons among detection methods included the frequency of positive stool samples and kappa values for making pairwise comparisons. Overall, the standard culture methods detected Shigella spp., EPEC, ETEC, and EAEC in smaller proportions of the samples than either of the methods based on detection of the virulence genes from DNA in whole stools. The GoldenGate method revealed the greatest agreement with the other methods. The agreement among methods was higher in cases than in controls. The new molecular technologies have a high potential for highly sensitive identification of bacterial diarrheal pathogens.

So lame, jon s, comparing the indigenous population of Palestine to the Jewish supremacist (Zionist) foreigners who covet/ed the territory.

In this study, we assessed the performance of the immunochromatography technology (ICT) Toxoplasma IgG and IgM rapid diagnostic test (LDBio Diagnostics, France) and compared the results with those of the Architect system. This automated technique is reliable for first-line serodiagnosis (6) and was chosen as the screening technique in Saint-Etienne and Marseille. This assessment is critical to define a good serological strategy based on the specificity and sensitivity of the two techniques. The aim of this study was to determine whether the ICT test can overcome the limits of the screening technique and ultimately be used as a second-line test.

Spleens were collected from immunized animals at the appropriate time points and cut into ~5-mm-thick pieces, immediately submerged in optimal cutting temperature (O.C.T.) compound (Tissue-Tek, Sakura), snap-frozen using 2-methylbutane (isobutene) and liquid nitrogen, and stored in liquid nitrogen until processing. The cryosections (40 μm thick) were cut along the entire organ to analyze all planes. The cryosections were fixed using ice-cold acetone for 10 min at room temperature and rehydrated in PBS for 5 min. Sections were then blocked by Background Sniper (Biocare) and stained using anti-CD35 (IgG-purified, BD Pharmingen) or anti–GL-7 (IgM-purified, eBioscience), followed by rat anti-IgG Alexa568 (Abcam) or by rat anti-IgM Texas Red (Sigma), respectively. Sections were also stained with anti-CD169 [fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), BioLegend]. The antigen APC-labeled gp120 used for the immunizations was detected. After washing three times with PBS, stained tissue sections were sealed using Gold Antifade reagent (Invitrogen–Life Technologies) and a coverslip. Images were acquired with a Zeiss LSM 510 confocal microscope.

Chin, C. D. et al. Microfluidics-based diagnostics of infectious diseases in the developing world. Nat. Med. 17, 1015–1019 (2011).

In smokers with chronic airflow limitation (CAL), airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) to stimuli like methacholine, which act directly on airway smooth muscle, are not specific for the pathogenesis which is responsible for AHR to methacholine in subjects with normal spirometry, nor predictive for a beneficial effect of glucocorticosteroid (GCS) treatment. In contrast, AHR to stimuli like hyperventilation, which act indirectly through mediator release, may be specific for the pathogenesis of asthma and predictive for a beneficial effect of GCS. The validation of this possibility requires the demonstration that patients with CAL and AHR to hyper-ventilation demonstrate improvement after treatment with GCS (and have an increase in eosinophils and metachromatic cells in the sputum or bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), like that seen in asthmatics uncomplicated by CAL).

Conjoint ProfessorCentre for Asthma and Respiratory DiseasesSchool of Medicine and Public HealthFaculty of Health and Medicine

We measured HR during each exercise session with a Polar® heart rate monitor (Polar Electro, Kempele, Finland)27 and we used relative HR (percentage of individual peak HR, %HRpeak) to assess individual exercise intensity. To determine blood lactate concentration we drew a capillary blood sample from the participant’s earlobe (LactateScout, Senslab, Leipzig, Germany) just 1 minute after exercise cessation.

The cumulative effect of myocardial tissue injury through apoptosis and necrosis may be observed in hemodynamic changes. In our study, animals treated with hydrogen rich saline with lactic acid showed nearly the same degree of cardioprotection as those undergoing mechanical postconditioning. However, the Lac and Hyd groups in this study only provided a portion of the cardioprotection demonstrated by the M-Post group. Consistent with previous studies using hydrogen gas or hydrogen rich saline alone36,41, our results support the advantage of co-administration of lactic acid and hydrogen rich saline, and further verify the acidosis hypothesis of postconditioning.

© 2017 Royal Australasian College of Physicians Severe asthma is a complex heterogeneous disease that is refractory to standard treatment and is complicated by multiple comorbidities and risk factors. In mild to moderate asthma, the burden of disease can be minimised by inhaled corticosteroids, bronchodilators and self-management education. In severe asthma, however, management is more complex. When patients with asthma continue to experience symptoms and exacerbations despite optimal management, severe refractory asthma (SRA) should be suspected and confirmed, and other aetiologies ruled out. Once a diagnosis of SRA is established, patients should undergo a systematic and multidimensional assessment to identify inflammatory endotypes, risk factors and comorbidities, with targeted and individualised management initiated. We describe a practical approach to assessment and management of patients with SRA.

Dr. Binion: 생물학적 제제는 매우 고가이므로 많은 환자들이 감량이나 중단을 요청한다. 그러나 충분한 치료를 받지 못한다면 20~22%의 환자는 3번 이상의 수술을 해야 한다. 따라서 더 나은 치료 결과를 얻기 위해서는 생물학적 제제를 꾸준히 투여하도록 권하고 있다. 아직 언제, 어떻게 감량하거나 중단하는 것이 유용한지는 계속 연구 중에 있으므로, 신중해야 한다.

Wynn, T. A. & Barron, L. Macrophages: master regulators of inflammation and fibrosis. Semin Liver Dis. 30, 245–257 (2010).