Distribution of Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. and Borrelia miyamotoi in Ixodes tick populations in Northern Germany, co-infections with Rickettsiales and assessment of potential influencing factors.

To determine Borrelia spp. (Spirochaetales: Spirochaetaceae) prevalence and species distribution in Northern Germany, Ixodes ticks were sampled from April to October in 2018 and 2019 by the flagging method at three locations each in five regions. Analysis by quantitative real-time PCR of 3150 individual ticks revealed an overall prevalence of 30.6%, without significant differences between tick stages (31.7% positive adults, 28.6% positive nymphs). Significant differences were observed in seasonal infection rates, but not between regions, landscape types or sampling years. Analysis of co-infections with Rickettsiales indicated a negative association between Borrelia and Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection. The most frequent Borrelia species differentiated by Reverse Line Blot were B. afzelii and B. garinii/B. bavariensis, followed by B. valaisiana, B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, B. spielmanii and B. lusitaniae. Furthermore, B. miyamotoi was identified in 12.9% of differentiable samples. No effect of region nor landscape type on species composition was found, but significant variations in the distribution at the different sampling sites within a region were observed. The detected monthly fluctuations in prevalence and the differences in intra-regional Borrelia species distribution underline the importance of long-term and multi-location monitoring of Borrelia spp. in ticks as an essential part of public health assessment.

"CLICKable" azide-functionalized phosphonates for the surface-modification of molecular and solid-state metal oxides.

The covalent functionalization of metal oxide surfaces with organic ligands gives unique organic-inorganic hybrids. Here we report a bifunctional organic tether combining a phosphonate for metal oxide anchoring with an organic azide for attachment of organic groups. Stable binding of the tether to molecular and solid-state metal oxides is demonstrated and the subsequent "CLICKability" of the TiO2-anchored tether is shown. The phosphonate-azide reported could in future allow the general linkage of functional organic groups to metal oxides.

Contractile dynamics change before morphological cues during fluorescence [corrected] illumination.

Illumination can have adverse effects on live cells. However, many experiments, e.g. traction force microscopy, rely on fluorescence microscopy. Current methods to assess undesired photo-induced cell changes rely on qualitative observation of changes in cell morphology. Here we utilize a quantitative technique to identify the effect of light on cell contractility prior to morphological changes. Fibroblasts were cultured on soft elastic hydrogels embedded with fluorescent beads. The adherent cells generated contractile forces that deform the substrate. Beads were used as fiducial markers to quantify the substrate deformation over time, which serves as a measure of cell force dynamics. We find that cells exposed to moderate fluorescence illumination (λ = 540-585 nm, I = 12.5 W/m(2), duration = 60 s) exhibit rapid force relaxation. Strikingly, cells exhibit force relaxation after only 2 s of exposure, suggesting that photo-induced relaxation occurs nearly immediately. Evidence of photo-induced morphological changes were not observed for 15-30 min after illumination. Force relaxation and morphological changes were found to depend on wavelength and intensity of excitation light. This study demonstrates that changes in cell contractility reveal evidence of a photo-induced cell response long before any morphological cues.

Electronic structure and local distortions in epitaxial ScGaN films.

High energy resolution fluorescence-detected x-ray absorption spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations were used to investigate the local bonding and electronic structure of Sc in epitaxial wurtzite-structure ScxGa1-xN films with x ≤ 0.059. Sc atoms are found to substitute for Ga atoms, accompanied by a local distortion involving an increase in the internal lattice parameter u around the Sc atoms. The local bonding and electronic structure at Sc are not affected strongly by the strain state or the defect microstructure of the films. These data are consistent with theoretical predictions regarding the electronic structure of dilute Sc(x)Ga(1-x)N alloys.

Identification of Fusarium graminearum in cereal samples by DNA Detection Test Strips.

AIMS: Development of a fast, sensitive and easy to handle method for the detection of Fusarium graminearum contamination in cereal samples by PCR. METHODS AND RESULTS: DNA Detection Test Strips were used for PCR-product detection and the method was compared to agarose gel electrophoresis. A minimum of 0.26 ng of purified target DNA was detectable with the Test Strip Detection limit in less contaminated samples was slightly lower when gel electrophoresis was used for amplicon detection. In highly contaminated samples, detection limits of both methods were similar. CONCLUSIONS: Detection of PCR products was performed in 20 min without the need of special technical equipment or hazardous fluorescent DNA dyes. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The new method described is useful for the screening of cereals in industrial quality control.

Uncertainty and expectations: taking care of a cardiac surgery patient at home.

Family members of postsurgical patients are, by necessity, taking on the caregiving role sooner without any specified resources to help them. The input of these caregivers is essential so nurses can understand their concerns, needs, and struggles and develop strategies to support the caregivers in their caregiving role. This study was designed to increase nursing knowledge regarding the experiences of being a caregiver of a cardiac surgery patient during the immediate postdischarge period. The qualitative research method of Interpretative Description, first described by Thorne, Kirkham, and MacDonald-Emes in 1997 guided the study. In-depth interviews were held with eight spousal caregivers. Findings revealed that the experience was molded by caregivers' past participation as a caregiver, as well as caregivers' and care recipients' outlook on life, their interpersonal relationship, and their expectations. Caregivers engaged in the process of caregiving that involved being vigilant and monitoring the care recipient's recovery, implementing strategies to assist the recovery process, and taking on a role to provide care and seek help as required. The encounter with caregiving affected all realms of caregivers' lives, and they experienced feelings of stress, vulnerability, and having to put their lives on hold; these feelings were often compounded by uncertainty.

Effect of thiazide on established furosemide-induced nephrocalcinosis in the young rat.

A previous study on furosemide-induced nephrocalcinosis (NC) showed only partial resolution of the calcifications after discontinuation of the diuretic. We investigated whether treatment with chlorothiazide (CTZ) will expedite the resolution of established furosemide-induced NC. Seventy-eight weanling male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into eight groups. Three groups were studied for 1 week: A, control; B, furosemide 40 mg/kg per 24 h; C, CTZ 100 mg/kg per 24 h. Five groups were studied for 5 weeks: D, control; E, F, G, furosemide 40 mg/kg per 24 h for 1 week followed by 4 weeks of observation (E), CTZ 50 mg/kg per 24 h (F), and CTZ 100 mg/kg per 24 h (G) and; and CTZ 100 mg/kg per 24 h (H) for 5 weeks. At the end of each study period urine and blood were collected, one kidney was studied histologically and the contralateral ashed for quantitative calcium (Ca) analysis. Animals in group B developed NC with a kidney Ca content of 1,844 +/- 203 micrograms/g dry tissue compared with group A 248 +/- 86 (P < 0.05) and group C 256 +/- 56 (P < 0.05). There were no differences among the three groups with regard to creatinine clearance, urine phosphate (P) or Ca excretion, although the latter tended to be lower in group C. Animals in group E showed a reduction in the magnitude of NC, with kidney Ca of 550 +/- 398 micrograms/g dry tissue, which was lower than in group B (P < 0.05) but still higher than in groups D (140 +/- 27) (P < 0.05) or H (162 +/- 63) (P < 0.05). Kidney Ca content in groups F (497 +/- 142) and G (489 +/- 271 micrograms/g dry tissue) was similar to that in group E. There were no differences among the five groups with regard to creatinine clearance or urine P excretion. Urine Ca excretion was significantly lower in groups F and G than groups D and E. We conclude that once established, NC caused by furosemide is not affected by CTZ therapy in spite of the anticalciuric property of the latter.

Application of a PCR protocol for the diagnosis of trichothecene producingFusarium species in deoxynivalenol contaminated wheat.

Trichothecenes pose a health risk to consumers and the presence of the producing fungi causes problems in industrial processing of cereals. A Triplex PCR was developed for screening of samples contaminated with toxigenic Fusarium species. The Triplex PCR could detect Fusarium species with high precision as compared to microbiological data of sample materials. There was a positive correlation between the occurrence of a PCR signal and the prevalence of the mycotoxin DON (Deoxynivalenol).

Fine-needle aspiration of thyroid nodules: correlation between cytology and histology and evaluation of discrepant cases.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of thyroid fine-needle aspiration (FNA) and to determine the reasons for the discrepancies between the cytologic and histologic diagnoses. METHODS: The authors evaluated the cytologic and histologic results of 133 FNAs obtained from 92 patients who underwent subsequent thyroidectomies. RESULTS: The initial cytologic results were indeterminate in 39 of 133 cases (29%) because a neoplasm could not be ruled out. These cases corresponded histologically to 9 adenomatoid nodules (ANs), 14 follicular adenomas (FAs), and 16 malignant thyroid neoplasms. The reported FNA diagnoses of the remaining 94 cases (71%) were 48 ANs, 19 follicular neoplasms (FNs), 21 papillary carcinomas (PCs), and 6 cases of Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). Correlation of cytology and histology showed that 69 of 94 FNA results (73%) correlated with the histologic diagnoses, whereas 25 (27%) were discrepant. The discrepancies resulted from cytodiagnostic errors in 13 cases (52%), suboptimal smears in 11 (44%), and an FNA sampling error in 1 (4%). The false-negative rate of FNA was 19% and the false-positive rate was 6%. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic pitfalls and indeterminate FNA diagnoses were predominantly due to overlapping cytologic criteria between ANs, FNs, and follicular variants of PCs. Rendering a definite diagnosis on suboptimal FNA samples is also a significant source of pitfalls.

Determination of two CI-1007 sulfate metabolites in monkey plasma and urine.

Two HPLC assays were developed and validated for simultaneous quantitation of two sulfate metabolites, PD 163637 (VI) and PD 163639 (VIII), of an investigational antipsychotic drug CI-1007 (I) in monkey plasma and urine. VI and VIII were identified as major metabolites in monkey plasma, and both were excreted in urine. Monkey plasma samples were directly injected after deproteinization, and urine samples were analyzed after a clean-up procedure using methyl-tert.-butyl ether. Liquid chromatographic separation was achieved on a Zorbax RX C8 analytical column using gradient elution. Column effluent was monitored using fluorescence detection with excitation and emission wavelengths of 254 and 330 nm, respectively. Minimum quantitation limit was 50 ng/ml in plasma and 100 ng/ml in urine. Linearity was demonstrated up to 3000 ng/ml in plasma and urine. Recoveries of the analytes from plasma and urine were greater than 85%. The assay has been applied to the determination of VI and VIII in plasma and urine samples from monkeys receiving oral administration of I.

Cefotetan-induced hemolytic anemia causing severe hypophosphatemia.

Phosphorus is a major component of proteins, phospholipids, and nucleotides. The increased uptake of phosphorus by cells during erythropoiesis can result in severe hypophosphatemia. A case of severe hypophosphatemia due to accelerated erythropoiesis in response to Cefotetan-induced hemolytic anemia is described. The hypophosphatemia seen during hemolysis may be the result, rather than the cause, of the hemolysis.

Avoiding complications of long-term venous access.

Indwelling venous catheters are invaluable for long-term chemotherapy, antibiotics, and hyperalimentation. However, their placement and chronic use can cause serious complications. This study was done to develop guidelines for minimizing complications of long-term vascular access. Complications associated with 355 lines placed in 297 patients were recorded prospectively at the George Washington University Hospital. Single or double lumen catheters were placed via the infraclavicular subclavian approach (126), external jugular cutdown (133), internal jugular cutdown (22), and cephalic vein cutdown (42). While catheters were malpositioned in 15 cases (5.2%), route of placement did not influence this adverse outcome. Pneumothorax occurred only in the subclavian approach (5.6%). Axillary vein thrombosis was significantly more prevalent in catheters placed via the subclavian vein (10.3%) compared with the external jugular (2.3%) P < 0.05 or cephalic (2.3%) vein. Line sepsis occurred in 28 instances; this was statistically associated with an abnormal white blood count and with the use of double-lumen catheters (double-lumen catheter sepsis = 18.4%, single lumen = 4.4%, P < 0.01). The morbidity of long-term venous catheters is affected significantly by the route of placement, the number of catheter lumens, and the pre-placement white blood count. As a result of our analysis, we recommend single-lumen catheter placement using the external jugular cutdown route whenever possible.

The diagnostic challenge of metastatic linitis plastica. Two cases and a consideration of the problem.

Linitis plastica of the stomach is usually difficult to diagnose preoperatively and can extend locally and metastasize widely before recognition. This insidious manner of spread may cause unusual presentations in organs distant from the stomach. The authors recently treated two patients who were initially found to have radiologic abnormalities of the colon and bladder, respectively. One patient was surgically explored with a view towards the resection of a primary colonic tumor, the other to determine the nature of a bladder tumor. Intraoperative histologic interpretation of frozen tissue samples from the gastric wall in each case radically altered the surgical approach and the prognosis. The clinical presentations illustrate that it may be difficult to obtain preoperative diagnostic tissue samples in such cases and that it is important for the surgeon to inspect and palpate the stomach wall during all abdominal explorations for cancer.

Fine needle aspiration in the treatment of ganglion cysts.

Twenty-eight ganglion cysts in 21 patients were diagnosed by fine needle aspiration (FNA) in the Cytopathology Service of The George Washington University Medical Center from January 1979 to December 1984. Twenty-four of these were aspirated by a pathologist. One patient had two ganglions. Seven of the 21 patients had recurrences and six were reaspirated. In five of those patients the cysts never attained their original size or interfered with function. Follow-up ranged from three to 71 months. Based upon our experience, we believe that FNA is a simple, fast, effective, nontraumatic, inexpensive method of treating ganglion cysts.

Rectosigmoid perforations in homosexual patients.

Five cases of rectosigmoid injury in homosexual males are presented. Early diagnosis based upon an index of suspicion and supported by careful history and physical examination and roentgenography led to prompt surgical intervention and resulted in low morbidity.