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Asymptomatic screening for severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) as an infection prevention measure in healthcare facilities: Challenges and considerations
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- Thomas R. Talbot, Mary K. Hayden, Deborah S. Yokoe, Anurag N. Malani, Hala A. Amer, Ibukunoluwa C. Kalu, Latania K. Logan, Rebekah W. Moehring, Silvia Munoz-Price, Tara N. Palmore, David J. Weber, Sharon B. Wright, for the SHEA Board of Trustees
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- Journal:
- Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology / Volume 44 / Issue 1 / January 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 21 December 2022, pp. 2-7
- Print publication:
- January 2023
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Testing of asymptomatic patients for severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (ie, “asymptomatic screening) to attempt to reduce the risk of nosocomial transmission has been extensive and resource intensive, and such testing is of unclear benefit when added to other layers of infection prevention mitigation controls. In addition, the logistic challenges and costs related to screening program implementation, data noting the lack of substantial aerosol generation with elective controlled intubation, extubation, and other procedures, and the adverse patient and facility consequences of asymptomatic screening call into question the utility of this infection prevention intervention. Consequently, the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) recommends against routine universal use of asymptomatic screening for SARS-CoV-2 in healthcare facilities. Specifically, preprocedure asymptomatic screening is unlikely to provide incremental benefit in preventing SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the procedural and perioperative environment when other infection prevention strategies are in place, and it should not be considered a requirement for all patients. Admission screening may be beneficial during times of increased virus transmission in some settings where other layers of controls are limited (eg, behavioral health, congregate care, or shared patient rooms), but widespread routine use of admission asymptomatic screening is not recommended over strengthening other infection prevention controls. In this commentary, we outline the challenges surrounding the use of asymptomatic screening, including logistics and costs of implementing a screening program, and adverse patient and facility consequences. We review data pertaining to the lack of substantial aerosol generation during elective controlled intubation, extubation, and other procedures, and we provide guidance for when asymptomatic screening for SARS-CoV-2 may be considered in a limited scope.
Hospital-acquired influenza in the United States, FluSurv-NET, 2011–2012 through 2018–2019
- Charisse N. Cummings, Alissa C. O’Halloran, Tali Azenkot, Arthur Reingold, Nisha B. Alden, James I. Meek, Evan J. Anderson, Patricia A. Ryan, Sue Kim, Melissa McMahon, Chelsea McMullen, Nancy L. Spina, Nancy M. Bennett, Laurie M. Billing, Ann Thomas, William Schaffner, H. Keipp Talbot, Andrea George, Carrie Reed, Shikha Garg
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- Journal:
- Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology / Volume 43 / Issue 10 / October 2022
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 05 October 2021, pp. 1447-1453
- Print publication:
- October 2022
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Objective:
To estimate population-based rates and to describe clinical characteristics of hospital-acquired (HA) influenza.
Design:Cross-sectional study.
Setting:US Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network (FluSurv-NET) during 2011–2012 through 2018–2019 seasons.
Methods:Patients were identified through provider-initiated or facility-based testing. HA influenza was defined as a positive influenza test date and respiratory symptom onset >3 days after admission. Patients with positive test date >3 days after admission but missing respiratory symptom onset date were classified as possible HA influenza.
Results:Among 94,158 influenza-associated hospitalizations, 353 (0.4%) had HA influenza. The overall adjusted rate of HA influenza was 0.4 per 100,000 persons. Among HA influenza cases, 50.7% were 65 years of age or older, and 52.0% of children and 95.7% of adults had underlying conditions; 44.9% overall had received influenza vaccine prior to hospitalization. Overall, 34.5% of HA cases received ICU care during hospitalization, 19.8% required mechanical ventilation, and 6.7% died. After including possible HA cases, prevalence among all influenza-associated hospitalizations increased to 1.3% and the adjusted rate increased to 1.5 per 100,000 persons.
Conclusions:Over 8 seasons, rates of HA influenza were low but were likely underestimated because testing was not systematic. A high proportion of patients with HA influenza were unvaccinated and had severe outcomes. Annual influenza vaccination and implementation of robust hospital infection control measures may help to prevent HA influenza and its impacts on patient outcomes and the healthcare system.
Neutron Star Extreme Matter Observatory: A kilohertz-band gravitational-wave detector in the global network
- Part of
- K. Ackley, V. B. Adya, P. Agrawal, P. Altin, G. Ashton, M. Bailes, E. Baltinas, A. Barbuio, D. Beniwal, C. Blair, D. Blair, G. N. Bolingbroke, V. Bossilkov, S. Shachar Boublil, D. D. Brown, B. J. Burridge, J. Calderon Bustillo, J. Cameron, H. Tuong Cao, J. B. Carlin, S. Chang, P. Charlton, C. Chatterjee, D. Chattopadhyay, X. Chen, J. Chi, J. Chow, Q. Chu, A. Ciobanu, T. Clarke, P. Clearwater, J. Cooke, D. Coward, H. Crisp, R. J. Dattatri, A. T. Deller, D. A. Dobie, L. Dunn, P. J. Easter, J. Eichholz, R. Evans, C. Flynn, G. Foran, P. Forsyth, Y. Gai, S. Galaudage, D. K. Galloway, B. Gendre, B. Goncharov, S. Goode, D. Gozzard, B. Grace, A. W. Graham, A. Heger, F. Hernandez Vivanco, R. Hirai, N. A. Holland, Z. J. Holmes, E. Howard, E. Howell, G. Howitt, M. T. Hübner, J. Hurley, C. Ingram, V. Jaberian Hamedan, K. Jenner, L. Ju, D. P. Kapasi, T. Kaur, N. Kijbunchoo, M. Kovalam, R. Kumar Choudhary, P. D. Lasky, M. Y. M. Lau, J. Leung, J. Liu, K. Loh, A. Mailvagan, I. Mandel, J. J. McCann, D. E. McClelland, K. McKenzie, D. McManus, T. McRae, A. Melatos, P. Meyers, H. Middleton, M. T. Miles, M. Millhouse, Y. Lun Mong, B. Mueller, J. Munch, J. Musiov, S. Muusse, R. S. Nathan, Y. Naveh, C. Neijssel, B. Neil, S. W. S. Ng, V. Oloworaran, D. J. Ottaway, M. Page, J. Pan, M. Pathak, E. Payne, J. Powell, J. Pritchard, E. Puckridge, A. Raidani, V. Rallabhandi, D. Reardon, J. A. Riley, L. Roberts, I. M. Romero-Shaw, T. J. Roocke, G. Rowell, N. Sahu, N. Sarin, L. Sarre, H. Sattari, M. Schiworski, S. M. Scott, R. Sengar, D. Shaddock, R. Shannon, J. SHI, P. Sibley, B. J. J. Slagmolen, T. Slaven-Blair, R. J. E. Smith, J. Spollard, L. Steed, L. Strang, H. Sun, A. Sunderland, S. Suvorova, C. Talbot, E. Thrane, D. Töyrä, P. Trahanas, A. Vajpeyi, J. V. van Heijningen, A. F. Vargas, P. J. Veitch, A. Vigna-Gomez, A. Wade, K. Walker, Z. Wang, R. L. Ward, K. Ward, S. Webb, L. Wen, K. Wette, R. Wilcox, J. Winterflood, C. Wolf, B. Wu, M. Jet Yap, Z. You, H. Yu, J. Zhang, J. Zhang, C. Zhao, X. Zhu
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- Journal:
- Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia / Volume 37 / 2020
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 05 November 2020, e047
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Gravitational waves from coalescing neutron stars encode information about nuclear matter at extreme densities, inaccessible by laboratory experiments. The late inspiral is influenced by the presence of tides, which depend on the neutron star equation of state. Neutron star mergers are expected to often produce rapidly rotating remnant neutron stars that emit gravitational waves. These will provide clues to the extremely hot post-merger environment. This signature of nuclear matter in gravitational waves contains most information in the 2–4 kHz frequency band, which is outside of the most sensitive band of current detectors. We present the design concept and science case for a Neutron Star Extreme Matter Observatory (NEMO): a gravitational-wave interferometer optimised to study nuclear physics with merging neutron stars. The concept uses high-circulating laser power, quantum squeezing, and a detector topology specifically designed to achieve the high-frequency sensitivity necessary to probe nuclear matter using gravitational waves. Above 1 kHz, the proposed strain sensitivity is comparable to full third-generation detectors at a fraction of the cost. Such sensitivity changes expected event rates for detection of post-merger remnants from approximately one per few decades with two A+ detectors to a few per year and potentially allow for the first gravitational-wave observations of supernovae, isolated neutron stars, and other exotica.
Treatment-resistant and Multi-therapy resistant criteria for bipolar depression: A consensus definition – CORRIGENDUM
- Diego Hidalgo-Mazzei, Michael Berk, Andrea Cipriani, Anthony J. Cleare, Arianna Di Florio, Daniel Dietch, John R. Geddes, Guy M. Goodwin, Heinz Grunze, Joseph F. Hayes, Ian Jones, Siegfried Kasper, Karine Macritchie, R. Hamish McAllister-Williams, Richard Morriss, Sam Nayrouz, Sofia Pappa, Jair C. Soares, Daniel J. Smith, Trisha Suppes, Peter Talbot, Eduard Vieta, Stuart Watson, Lakshmi N. Yatham, Allan H. Young, Paul R. A. Stokes
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- Journal:
- The British Journal of Psychiatry / Volume 214 / Issue 5 / May 2019
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 28 February 2019, p. 309
- Print publication:
- May 2019
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Treatment-resistant and multi-therapy-resistant criteria for bipolar depression: consensus definition
- Diego Hidalgo-Mazzei, Michael Berk, Andrea Cipriani, Anthony J. Cleare, Arianna Di Florio, Daniel Dietch, John R. Geddes, Guy M. Goodwin, Heinz Grunze, Joseph F. Hayes, Ian Jones, Siegfried Kasper, Karine Macritchie, R. Hamish McAllister-Williams, Richard Morriss, Sam Nayrouz, Sofia Pappa, Jair C. Soares, Daniel J. Smith, Trisha Suppes, Peter Talbot, Eduard Vieta, Stuart Watson, Lakshmi N. Yatham, Allan H. Young, Paul R. A. Stokes
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- Journal:
- The British Journal of Psychiatry / Volume 214 / Issue 1 / January 2019
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 06 December 2018, pp. 27-35
- Print publication:
- January 2019
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Background
Most people with bipolar disorder spend a significant percentage of their lifetime experiencing either subsyndromal depressive symptoms or major depressive episodes, which contribute greatly to the high levels of disability and mortality associated with the disorder. Despite the importance of bipolar depression, there are only a small number of recognised treatment options available. Consecutive treatment failures can quickly exhaust these options leading to treatment-resistant bipolar depression (TRBD). Remarkably few studies have evaluated TRBD and those available lack a comprehensive definition of multi-therapy-resistant bipolar depression (MTRBD).
AimsTo reach consensus regarding threshold definitions criteria for TRBD and MTRBD.
MethodBased on the evidence of standard treatments available in the latest bipolar disorder treatment guidelines, TRBD and MTRBD criteria were agreed by a representative panel of bipolar disorder experts using a modified Delphi method.
ResultsTRBD criteria in bipolar depression was defined as failure to reach sustained symptomatic remission for 8 consecutive weeks after two different treatment trials, at adequate therapeutic doses, with at least two recommended monotherapy treatments or at least one monotherapy treatment and another combination treatment. MTRBD included the same initial definition as TRBD, with the addition of failure of at least one trial with an antidepressant, a psychological treatment and a course of electroconvulsive therapy.
ConclusionsThe proposed TRBD and MTRBD criteria may provide an important signpost to help clinicians, researchers and stakeholders in judging how and when to consider new non-standard treatments. However, some challenging diagnostic and therapeutic issues were identified in the consensus process that need further evaluation and research.
Declaration of interestIn the past 3 years, M.B. has received grant/research support from the NIH, Cooperative Research Centre, Simons Autism Foundation, Cancer Council of Victoria, Stanley Medical Research Foundation, MBF, NHMRC, Beyond Blue, Rotary Health, Geelong Medical Research Foundation, Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Glaxo SmithKline, Meat and Livestock Board, Organon, Novartis, Mayne Pharma, Servier, Woolworths, Avant and the Harry Windsor Foundation, has been a speaker for Astra Zeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Glaxo SmithKline, Janssen Cilag, Lundbeck, Merck, Pfizer, Sanofi Synthelabo, Servier, Solvay and Wyeth and served as a consultant to Allergan, Astra Zeneca, Bioadvantex, Bionomics, Collaborative Medicinal Development, Eli Lilly, Grunbiotics, Glaxo SmithKline, Janssen Cilag, LivaNova, Lundbeck, Merck, Mylan, Otsuka, Pfizer and Servier. A.J.C. has in the past 3 years received honoraria for speaking from Astra Zeneca and Lundbeck, honoraria for consulting from Allergan, Janssen, Lundbeck and LivaNova and research grant support from Lundbeck. G.M.G. holds shares in P1Vital and has served as consultant, advisor or CME speaker for Allergan, Angelini, Compass pathways, MSD, Lundbeck, Otsuka, Takeda, Medscape, Minervra, P1Vital, Pfizer, Servier, Shire and Sun Pharma. J.G. has received research funding from National Institute for Health Research, Medical Research Council, Stanley Medical Research Institute and Wellcome. H.G. received grants/research support, consulting fees or honoraria from Gedeon Richter, Genericon, Janssen Cilag, Lundbeck, Otsuka, Pfizer and Servier. R.H.M.-W. has received support for research, expenses to attend conferences and fees for lecturing and consultancy work (including attending advisory boards) from various pharmaceutical companies including Astra Zeneca, Cyberonics, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Liva Nova, Lundbeck, MyTomorrows, Otsuka, Pfizer, Roche, Servier, SPIMACO and Sunovion. R.M. has received research support from Big White Wall, Electromedical Products, Johnson and Johnson, Magstim and P1Vital. S.N. received honoraria from Lundbeck, Jensen and Otsuka. J.C.S. has received funds for research from Alkermes, Pfizer, Allergan, J&J, BMS and been a speaker or consultant for Astellas, Abbott, Sunovion, Sanofi. S.W has, within the past 3 years, attended advisory boards for Sunovion and LivaNova and has undertaken paid lectures for Lundbeck. D.J.S. has received honoraria from Lundbeck. T.S. has reported grants from Pathway Genomics, Stanley Medical Research Institute and Palo Alto Health Sciences; consulting fees from Sunovion Pharamaceuticals Inc.; honoraria from Medscape Education, Global Medical Education and CMEology; and royalties from Jones and Bartlett, UpToDate and Hogrefe Publishing. S.P. has served as a consultant or speaker for Janssen, and Sunovion. P.T. has received consultancy fees as an advisory board member from the following companies: Galen Limited, Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Europe Ltd, myTomorrows and LivaNova. E.V. received grants/ research support, consulting fees or honoraria from Abbott, AB-Biotics, Allergan, Angelini, Dainippon Sumitomo, Ferrer, Gedeon Richter, Janssen, Lundbeck, Otsuka and Sunovion. L.N.Y. has received grants/research support, consulting fees or honoraria from Allergan, Alkermes, Dainippon Sumitomo, Janssen, Lundbeck, Otsuka, Sanofi, Servier, Sunovion, Teva and Valeant. A.H.Y. has undertaken paid lectures and advisory boards for all major pharmaceutical companies with drugs used in affective and related disorders and LivaNova. He has also previously received funding for investigator-initiated studies from AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, Lundbeck and Wyeth. P.R.A.S. has received research funding support from Corcept Therapeutics Inc. Corcept Therapeutics Inc fully funded attendance at their internal conference in California USA and all related expenses. He has received grant funding from the Medical Research Council UK for a collaborative study with Janssen Research and Development LLC. Janssen Research and Development LLC are providing non-financial contributions to support this study. P.R.A.S. has received a presentation fee from Indivior and an advisory board fee from LivaNova.
The Use of a Computerized Provider Order Entry Alert to Decrease Rates of Clostridium difficile Testing in Young Pediatric Patients
- Maribeth R. Nicholson, Peter N. Freswick, M. Cecilia Di Pentima, Li Wang, Kathryn M. Edwards, Gregory J. Wilson, Thomas R. Talbot
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- Journal:
- Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology / Volume 38 / Issue 5 / May 2017
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 21 February 2017, pp. 542-546
- Print publication:
- May 2017
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BACKGROUND
Infants and young children are frequently colonized with C. difficile but rarely have symptomatic disease. However, C. difficile testing remains prevalent in this age group.
OBJECTIVETo design a computerized provider order entry (CPOE) alert to decrease testing for C. difficile in young children and infants.
DESIGNAn interventional age-targeted before-after trial with comparison group
SETTINGMonroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee.
PATIENTSAll children seen in the inpatient or emergency room settings from July 2012 through July 2013 (pre-CPOE alert) and September 2013 through September 2014 (post-CPOE alert)
INTERVENTIONIn August of 2013, we implemented a CPOE alert advising against testing in infants and young children based on the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations with an optional override. We further offered healthcare providers educational seminars regarding recommended C. difficile testing.
RESULTSThe average monthly testing rate significantly decreased after the CPOE alert for children 0–11 months old (11.5 pre-alert vs 0 post-alert per 10,000 patient days; P<.001) and 12–35 months old (61.6 pre-alert vs 30.1 post-alert per 10,000 patients days; P<.001), but not for those children ≥36 months old (50.9 pre-alert vs 46.4 post-alert per 10,000 patient days; P=.3) who were not targeted with a CPOE alert. There were no complications in those children who testing positive for C. difficile.
CONCLUSIONSThe average monthly testing rate for C. difficile for children <35 months old decreased without complication after the use of a CPOE alert in those who tested positive for C. difficile.
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:542–546
Weather and livestock risk factors for Escherichia coli O157 human infection in Alberta, Canada
- N. BIFOLCHI, P. MICHEL, J. TALBOT, L. SVENSON, K. SIMMONDS, S. CHECKLEY, L. CHUI, P. DICK, J. B. WILSON
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- Journal:
- Epidemiology & Infection / Volume 142 / Issue 11 / November 2014
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 10 January 2014, pp. 2302-2313
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This study investigated the extent to which proximity to cattle and weather events in Alberta predispose human populations to E. coli O157 disease. Cases of human E. coli O157 infection in Alberta between 2004 and 2011 were obtained from the province's Communicable Disease Reporting System and Discharge Abstract Database. Regression models based on spatial area incorporated human infection data with livestock and weather covariates. A variety of regression models were applied (i.e. least squares, spatial lag/error, Poisson, negative binomial) to test the most appropriate approach. Ratios for the total number of calves, bulls and beef cows to human population were highlighted as significant cattle density variables in all final best-fitting models. Weather variables were not significant in final regression models averaged over the full study period. Our results provide evidence of a significant association between measures of cattle density and human E. coli O157 disease in Alberta.
Contributors
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- By Farook Al-Azzawi, Wita Angrianni, Sanjay Asthana, Stephan Bandelow, Kathryn J. Bryan, Cynthia M. Carlsson, Jenna C. Carroll, Gemma Casadesus, Monique M. Cherrier, Laura H. Coker, María M. Corrada, Vita Priantina Dewi, Roberta Diaz Brinton, Mark A. Espeland, Mirjam I. Geerlings, Robert B. Gibbs, Carey E. Gleason, Victor W. Henderson, Patricia E. Hogan, Eef Hogervorst, Claudia H. Kawas, Anna Khaylis, Philip Kreager, Linda Kushandy, Donald Lehmann, Jin Li, Mary E. McAsey, Pauline M. Maki, Ralph N. Martins, Scott D. Moffat, Majon Muller, Theresia Ninuk, Annlia Paganini-Hill, George Perry, Christian J. Pike, Bevin N. Powers, Tri Budi W. Rahardjo, Natalie L. Rasgon, Susan M. Resnick, Emily R. Rosario, Sabarinah, Tony Sadjimim, Barbara B. Sherwin, Sally A. Shumaker, Mark A. Smith, Robert G. Struble, Chris Talbot, Wulf H. Utian, Giuseppe Verdile, Robert B. Wallace, Whitney Wharton, Katherine E. Williams, Oliver T. Wolf, Tonita E. Wroolie, Amina Yesufu, Yudarini, Liqin Zhao
- Edited by Eef Hogervorst, Loughborough University, Victor W. Henderson, Stanford University, California, Robert B. Gibbs, University of Pittsburgh, Roberta Diaz Brinton, University of Southern California
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- Hormones, Cognition and Dementia
- Published online:
- 06 July 2010
- Print publication:
- 24 September 2009, pp vii-x
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2 - The rice blast story: from genome sequence to function
- from I - Comparative and functional fungal genomics
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- By R. A. Dean, Center for Integrated Fungal Research Department of Plant Pathology 1200 Partners Building II Box 7251 North Carolina State University Raleigh NC 27695 USA, T. Mitchell, North Carolina State University Department of Plant Pathology Campus Box 7251 Raleigh NC 27695–7251 USA, R. Kulkarni, RTI 3040 Cornwallis Road Research Triangle Park NC 27709 USA, N. Donofrio, North Carolina State University Department of Plant Pathology Campus Box 7251 Raleigh NC 27695–7251 USA, A. Powell, North Carolina State University Department of Plant Pathology Campus Box 7251 Raleigh NC 27695–7251 USA, Y. Y. Oh, North Carolina State University Department of Plant Pathology Campus Box 7251 Raleigh NC 27695–7251 USA, S. Diener, North Carolina State University Department of Plant Pathology Campus Box 7253 Raleigh NC 27695–7253 USA, H. Pan, RTI 3040 Cornwallis Road Research Triangle Park NC 27709 USA, D. Brown, North Carolina State University Department of Plant Pathology Campus Box 7251 Raleigh NC 27695–7251 USA, J. Deng, North Carolina State University Department of Plant Pathology Campus Box 7251 Raleigh NC 27695–7251 USA, I. Carbone, North Carolina State University Department of Plant Pathology Campus Box 7244 Raleigh NC 27695–7244 USA, D. J. Ebbole, Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology Peterson Building Rm 120 MS# 2132 Texas A&M University College Station TX 77843–2132 USA, M. Thon, Department of Computer Science 320C Peterson Building MS# 2132 Texas A&M University College Station TX 77843–2132 USA, M. L. Farman, Department of Plant Pathology University of Kentucky 1405 Veterans Drive Lexington KY 40546–0312 USA, M. J. Orbach, Department of Plant Pathology University of Arizona Forbes Room 105 PO Box 210036 Tucson AZ 85721–0036 USA, C. Soderlund, Director of Bioinformatics Department of Plant Science 303 Forbes Building Tucson AZ 85721 USA, J-R. Xu, Department of Botany and Plant Pathology 915 West State Street Purdue University West Lafayette IN 47906 USA, Y-H. Lee, Seoul National University School of Agricultural Biotechnology Suwon 441–744 Korea, N. J. Talbot, Department of Biological Sciences University of Exeter Hatherly Laboratories Prince of Wales Road Exeter EX4 4PS UK, S. Coughlan, Agilent Technologies Inc. Little Falls Site 2850 Centerville Road Wilmington DE 19808 USA, J. E. Galagan, The Broad Institute Massachusetts Institute of Technology 77 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge MA 02139–4307 USA, B. W. Birren, The Broad Institute Massachusetts Institute of Technology 77 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge MA 02139–4307 USA
- Edited by G. D. Robson, University of Manchester, Pieter van West, University of Aberdeen, Geoffrey Gadd, University of Dundee
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- Exploitation of Fungi
- Published online:
- 05 October 2013
- Print publication:
- 24 May 2007, pp 10-22
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Summary
Introduction
Rice blast disease, caused by the filamentous fungus Magnaporthe grisea, is a serious and recurrent problem in all rice-growing regions of the world (Talbot, 2003; Valent & Chumley, 1991). It is estimated that each year enough rice is destroyed by rice blast disease to feed 60 million people. Control of this disease is difficult; new host-specific forms develop quickly to overcome host resistance and chemical control is typically not cost effective (Ou, 1987). Infections occur when fungal spores land and attach themselves to leaves using a special adhesive released from the tip of each spore (Hamer et al., 1988). The germinating spore develops an appressorium, a specialized infection cell, which generates enormous turgor pressure – up to 8 MPa – that ruptures the leaf cuticle allowing invasion of the underlying leaf tissue (de Jong et al., 1997; Dean, 1997). Subsequent colonization of the leaf produces disease lesions from which the fungus sporulates and spreads to new plants. When rice blast infects young rice seedlings, whole plants often die, while spread of the disease to the stems, nodes or panicle of older plants results in nearly total loss of the rice grain. Recent reports have further shown that the fungus has the capacity to infect plant roots (Sesma & Osbourn, 2004). Different host-limited forms of Magnaporthe also infect a broad range of grass species including wheat, barley and millet.
Recurrent multistate outbreak of Salmonella Newport associated with tomatoes from contaminated fields, 2005
- S. K. GREENE, E. R. DALY, E. A. TALBOT, L. J. DEMMA, S. HOLZBAUER, N. J. PATEL, T. A. HILL, M. O. WALDERHAUG, R. M. HOEKSTRA, M. F. LYNCH, J. A. PAINTER
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- Journal:
- Epidemiology & Infection / Volume 136 / Issue 2 / February 2008
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 16 May 2007, pp. 157-165
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Salmonella Newport causes more than an estimated 100 000 infections annually in the United States. In 2002, tomatoes grown and packed on the eastern shore of Virginia contaminated with a pan-susceptible S. Newport strain caused illness in 510 patients in 26 states. In July–November 2005, the same strain caused illness in at least 72 patients in 16 states. We conducted a case-control study during the 2005 outbreak, enrolling 29 cases and 140 matched neighbourhood controls. Infection was associated with eating tomatoes (matched odds ratio 9·7, 95% confidence interval 3·3–34·9). Tomatoes were traced back to the eastern shore of Virginia, where the outbreak strain was isolated from pond water used to irrigate tomato fields. Two multistate outbreaks caused by one rare strain, and identification of that strain in irrigation ponds 2 years apart, suggest persistent contamination of tomato fields. Further efforts are needed to prevent produce contamination on farms and throughout the food supply chain.
Soya isoflavone-enriched cereal bars affect markers of endothelial function in postmenopausal women
- J. Hallund, S. Bügel, T. Tholstrup, M. Ferrari, D. Talbot, W. L. Hall, M. Reimann, C.M. Williams, N. Wiinberg
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- Journal:
- British Journal of Nutrition / Volume 95 / Issue 6 / June 2006
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 08 March 2007, pp. 1120-1126
- Print publication:
- June 2006
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Soya isoflavones are thought to be cardioprotective due to their structural similarity to oestrogen. In order to investigate the effect of soya isoflavones on markers of endothelial function we conducted a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study with thirty healthy postmenopausal women. The women consumed cereal bars, with or without soya isoflavones (50mg/d), for 8 weeks, separated by an 8-week washout period. Systemic arterial complince (SAC), isobaric arterial compliance (IAC), flow-mediated endothelium-dependent vasodilation (FMD) and nitroglycerine-mediated endothelium-independent vasodilation (NMD) were measured at the beginning of the study and after each intervention period. Blood pressure (BP) and plasma concentrations of nitrite and nitrate (NOx) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) were measured at the beginning and end of each intervention period.NMD was 13·4 (sem 2·0) % at baseline and 15·5 (sem 1·1) % after isoflavone treatment compared with 12·4 (sem 1·0) % after placebo treatment (P=0·03). NOx increased from 27·7 (sem 2·7) to 31·1 (sem 3·2) μm after isoflavones treatment compared with 25·4 (sem 1·5) to 20·4 (sem 1·1) μm after placebo treatment (P=0·003) and a significant increase in the NOx:ET-1 ratio (P=0·005) was observed after the isoflavone treatment compared with placebo. A significant difference in SAC after the isoflavone and placebo treatment was observed (P=0·04). No significant difference was found in FMD, IAC, BP and ET-1. In conclusion, 8 weeks' consumption of cereals bars enriched with 50mg soya isoflavones/d increased plasma NOx concentrations and improved endothelium-independent vasodilation in healthy postmenopausal women.