Early detection of SARS-CoV-2 variants using traveler-based genomic surveillance at four US airports, September 2021- January 2022

We enrolled arriving international air travelers in SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance, using molecular testing of pooled nasal swabs, and sequencing positive samples for viral lineage. Traveler-based genomic surveillance provided early warning variant detection; we reported the first U.S. Omicron BA.2 and first BA.3 in North America, weeks before next reported detection.

Three-Minute Step Test for Predicting Acute Mountain Sickness: A Post Hoc Analysis of Rhodiola Crenulata Extract for Prevention of Acute Mountain Sickness, a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Trial.

BACKGROUND: Acute mountain sickness (AMS) often occurs in individuals who rapidly travel above 2,500 m. As the convenience of traveling and the development of mountain sports increase, AMS will become an increasingly important public health problem. However, no method to effectively predict AMS before it occurs is currently available. METHODS: This post hoc study investigated whether the 3-Minute Step Test (3MST), which evaluates physical fitness, is predictive of AMS development. The data collected in "Rhodiola crenulata extract for prevention of AMS: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial" was used in the analysis. This study collected 204 observations of 102 participants who made two ascents of Hehuan Mountain (3,100 m) by bus within a 3-month period. Participants completed the 3MST at 250 m (before ascent) and 3,100 m (on Hehuan Mountain). The presence of AMS was accessed using the Lake Louise scoring system. RESULTS: AMS was identified in 124 observations (60.78%). In the univariate analysis, the pre-departure 3MST score (at 250 m) was not significantly associated with AMS (p = 0.498), but the 3MST score measured at 3,100 m, ascent number, pulse rate at 3,100 m, and saturation of peripheral oxygen (SpO2) measured at 3,100 m were significantly correlated with the occurrence of AMS (p = 0.002, 0.039, 0.005, < 0.001, respectively). In a further multivariate analysis, only SpO2 measured at 3,100 m had a significant association with AMS (p = 0.016 and 0.006, respectively). The trend analysis showed that for every 1-point increase in the 3MST score at 3,100 m, the AMS decreased by 4% (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.92-1.01). CONCLUSION: The 3MST score cannot be a predictor of AMS, but it may have a potential role in predicting ascent safety in high-altitude areas.

Microbubble-mediated sonoporation for highly efficient transfection of recalcitrant human B- cell lines.

Sonoporation has not been widely explored as a strategy for the transfection of heterologous genes into notoriously difficult-to-transfect mammalian cell lines such as B cells. This technology utilizes ultrasound to create transient pores in the cell membrane, thus allowing the uptake of extraneous DNA into eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, which is further enhanced by cationic microbubbles. This study investigates the use of sonoporation to deliver a plasmid encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP) into three human B-cell lines (Ramos, Raji, Daudi). A higher transfection efficiency (TE) of >42% was achieved using sonoporation compared with <3% TE using the conventional lipofectamine method for Ramos cells. Upon further antibiotic selection of the transfected population for two weeks, we successfully enriched a stable population of GFP-positive Ramos cells (>70%). Using the same strategy, Raji and Daudi B cells were also successfully transfected and enriched to 67 and 99% GFP-positive cells, respectively. Here, we present sonoporation as a feasible non-viral strategy for stable and highly efficient heterologous transfection of recalcitrant B-cell lines. This is the first demonstration of a non-viral method yielding transfection efficiencies significantly higher (42%) than the best reported values of electroporation (30%) for Ramos B-cell lines.

Rhodiola crenulata extract for prevention of acute mountain sickness: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial.

BACKGROUND: Rhodiola crenulata (R. crenulata) is widely used to prevent acute mountain sickness in the Himalayan areas and in Tibet, but no scientific studies have previously examined its effectiveness. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study to investigate its efficacy in acute mountain sickness prevention. METHODS: Healthy adult volunteers were randomized to 2 treatment sequences, receiving either 800 mg R. crenulata extract or placebo daily for 7 days before ascent and 2 days during mountaineering, before crossing over to the alternate treatment after a 3-month wash-out period. Participants ascended rapidly from 250 m to 3421 m on two separate occasions: December 2010 and April 2011. The primary outcome measure was the incidence of acute mountain sickness, as defined by a Lake Louise score ≥ 3, with headache and at least one of the symptoms of nausea or vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, or difficulty sleeping. RESULTS: One hundred and two participants completed the trial. There were no demographic differences between individuals taking Rhodiola-placebo and those taking placebo-Rhodiola. No significant differences in the incidence of acute mountain sickness were found between R. crenulata extract and placebo groups (all 60.8%; adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.69-1.52). The incidence of severe acute mountain sickness in Rhodiola extract vs. placebo groups was 35.3% vs. 29.4% (AOR = 1.42, 95% CI = 0.90-2.25). CONCLUSIONS: R. crenulata extract was not effective in reducing the incidence or severity of acute mountain sickness as compared to placebo. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01536288.

Binocular vision and eye movement disorders in older adults.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of binocular vision (BV) and eye movement disorders in a clinic population of older adults. METHODS: Retrospective clinic data were abstracted from files of 500 older patients seen at the University of Waterloo Optometry Clinic over a 1-year period. Stratified sampling gave equal numbers of patients in the 60 to 69, 70 to 79, and 80+ age groups. Data included age, general and ocular history and symptoms, use of antidepressants, a habit of smoking, refraction, visual acuity, BV and eye movement status for the most recent full oculo-visual assessment, and an assessment 10 years prior. The prevalence of any BV or eye movement abnormal test (AT) result, defined as a test result outside the normal range, was determined. This included strabismus (any) or phoria; incomitancy; poor pursuits; and remote near point of convergence (NPC). The prevalence of significant BV disorders (diagnostic entities, i.e., a clinical condition that may need treatment and may have functional implications) was also determined. RESULTS: The prevalence of any BV or eye movement at was 41%, 44%, and 51% in the 60 to 69, 70 to 79, and 80+ age groups, respectively. These figures were lower for 10 years earlier: 31%, 36%, and 40% for ages 50 to 59, 60 to 69, and 70+, respectively. The prevalence of any BV or eye movement disorder was 27%, 30%, and 38% for the three age groups and 17%, 19%, and 24% for 10 years prior. Age and use of antidepressants most commonly predicted BV or eye movement AT or disorder. CONCLUSIONS: BV disorders are common among older adults.

Effect of acupressure and trigger points in treating headache: a randomized controlled trial.

The efficacy of acupressure in relieving pain has been documented; however, its effectiveness for chronic headache compared to the muscle relaxant medication has not yet been elucidated. To address this, a randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted in a medical center in Southern Taiwan in 2003. Twenty-eight patients suffering chronic headache were randomly assigned to the acupressure group (n = 14) or the muscle relaxant medication group (n = 14). Outcome measures regarding self-appraised pain scores (measured on a visual analogue scale; VAS) and ratings of how headaches affected life quality were recorded at baseline, 1 month after treatment, and at a 6-month follow-up. Pain areas were recorded in order to establish trigger points. Results showed that mean scores on the VAS at post-treatment assessment were significantly lower in the acupressure group (32.9+/-26.0) than in the muscle relaxant medication group (55.7+/-28.7) (p = 0.047). The superiority of acupressure over muscle relaxant medication remained at 6-month follow-up assessments (p = 0.002). The quality of life ratings related to headache showed similar differences between the two groups in the post treatment and at six-month assessments. Trigger points BL2, GV20, GB20, TH21, and GB5 were used most commonly for etiological assessment. In conclusion, our study suggests that 1 month of acupressure treatment is more effective in reducing chronic headache than 1 month of muscle relaxant treatment, and that the effect remains 6 months after treatment. Trigger points help demonstrate the treatment technique recommended if a larger-scale study is conducted in the future.

Treatment of low back pain by acupressure and physical therapy: randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of acupressure in terms of disability, pain scores, and functional status. DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial. SETTING: Orthopaedic clinic in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. PARTICIPANTS: 129 patients with chronic low back pain. INTERVENTION: Acupressure or physical therapy for one month. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Self administered Chinese versions of standard outcome measures for low back pain (primary outcome: Roland and Morris disability questionnaire) at baseline, after treatment, and at six month follow-up. RESULTS: The mean total Roland and Morris disability questionnaire score after treatment was significantly lower in the acupressure group than in the physical therapy group regardless of the difference in absolute score (- 3.8, 95% confidence interval - 5.7 to - 1.9) or mean change from the baseline (- 4.64, - 6.39 to - 2.89). Acupressure conferred an 89% (95% confidence interval 61% to 97%) reduction in significant disability compared with physical therapy. The improvement in disability score in the acupressure group compared with the physical group remained at six month follow-up. Statistically significant differences also occurred between the two groups for all six domains of the core outcome, pain visual scale, and modified Oswestry disability questionnaire after treatment and at six month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Acupressure was effective in reducing low back pain in terms of disability, pain scores, and functional status. The benefit was sustained for six months.

A randomized controlled clinical trial for low back pain treated by acupressure and physical therapy.

BACKGROUND: Although acupressure has been reported to be effective in managing various types of pain, its efficacy in relieving pain associated with low back pain (LBP) remains unclear. The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of acupressure with that of physical therapy in reducing low back pain. METHODS: A randomized controlled clinical trial in an orthopedic referral hospital in Taiwan was conducted between December 20, 2000, and March 2, 2001. A total of 146 participants with chronic low back pain were randomly assigned to the acupressure group (69) or the physical therapy group (77), each with a different treatment technique. Self-appraised pain scores were obtained before treatment as baseline and after treatment as outcomes using the Chinese version of Short-Form Pain Questionnaire (SF-PQ). RESULTS: There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics among patients randomized into the two groups. The mean of posttreatment pain score after a 4-week treatment (2.28, SD = 2.62) in the acupressure group was significantly lower than that in the physical therapy group (5.05, SD = 5.11) (P = 0.0002). At the 6-month follow-up assessment, the mean of pain score in the acupressure group (1.08, SD = 1.43) was still significantly lower than that in the physical therapy group (3.15, SD = 3.62) (P = 0.0004). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that acupressure is another effective alternative medicine in reducing low back pain, although the standard operating procedures involved with acupressure treatment should be carefully assessed in the future.

A New Species of the Genus Nanhaipotamon (Decapoda: Potamidae) from Xiapu County, Fujian / 中国寄生虫学与寄生虫病杂志

A new species of Nanhaipotamon sp. Nov. was found from the west of Xiapu County, Fujian Province in April 2008. Holotype: male, carapace length 28.2 mm, breadth 35.6 mm, thickness 20.4 mm. Allotype, female, carapace length 22.6 mm, breadth 28.7 mm, thickness 20.4 mm. Male first pleopod reached beyond tubercle of abdominal lock, not reaching to suture of sternites 4/5. Subterminal segment was about 2.4 times as terminal segment, inner horn rounded to squarish, and its outer horn pointed to the upper part of abdomen. Morphologically, this new species is distinguishable to the similar species of freshwater crabs, such as N. formosanum, N. nanriense, and N. yongchunense.