SARS-CoV-2 detection by rRT-PCR on self-collected anterior nares swabs or saliva compared with clinician-collected nasopharyngeal swabs--Denver and Atlanta, August--November, 2020

Nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS) collected by trained healthcare professionals are the preferred specimen for SARS-CoV-2 testing. Self-collected specimens might decrease patient discomfort, conserve healthcare resources, and be preferred by patients. During August - November 2020, 1,806 adults undergoing SARS-CoV-2 testing in Denver, Colorado and Atlanta, Georgia, provided self-collected anterior nares swabs (ANS) and saliva specimens before NPS collection. Compared to NPS, sensitivity for SARS-CoV-2 detection by rRT-PCR appeared higher for saliva than for ANS (85% versus 80% in Denver; 67% versus 58% in Atlanta) and higher among participants reporting current symptoms (94% and 87% in Denver; 72% and 62% in Atlanta, for saliva and ANS, respectively) than among those reporting no symptoms (29% and 50% in Denver; 50% and 44% in Atlanta, for saliva and ANS, respectively). Compared to ANS, saliva was more challenging to collect and process. Self-collected saliva and ANS are less sensitive than NPS for SARS-CoV-2 detection; however, they offer practical advantages and might be most useful for currently symptomatic patients.

Long non-coding RNAs (CASC2 and TUG1) in hepatocellular carcinoma: Clinical significance.

BACKGROUND: The biology of hepatocellular carcinoma remains poorly understood. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been confirmed to be key regulators of most cell processes and cancer. The lncRNA cancer susceptibility candidate 2 (CASC2) was originally identified as a downregulated gene in endometrial cancer and acted as a tumor suppressor. The lncRNA taurine up-regulated gene 1 (TUG1) has been shown to play an oncogenic role in various cancers. However, the relative expression of CASC2 and TUG1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) on top of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and the relationship between both remains unclear. The present study aimed to evaluate both lncRNA CASC2 and TUG1 relative gene expression in whole blood of HCC/HCV patients in relation to HCV and healthy subjects and to relate them to each other and to different clinicopathological factors. METHODS: The relative expression of CASC2 and TUG1 was estimated by a quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction in 30 HCC/HCV patients and compared with 20 cases of HCV patients and 20 controls. RESULTS: CASC2 was downregulated in HCC/HCV patients, whereas TUG1 was overexpressed in relation to HCV and the control group, indicating their antagonistic effect. This suggests their role in the pathogenesis of HCC on top of HCV. Their expression was correlated to Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage and serum alpha-fetoprotein level. CONCLUSIONS: CASC2 and TUG1 could be new potential biomarkers with a valid non-invasive technique.

Choice of motorcycle helmet makes a difference: a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Although many states mandate that motorcyclists wear helmets, their laws do not indicate which type of helmet should be used. In addition, there are no prospective studies in the literature evaluating patterns of injuries as they relate to helmet type. The hypothesis in this study was that full-face helmets (FFHs) reduce craniofacial injuries associated with motorcycle collisions when compared with other helmet types. METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted at a Level I trauma center to evaluate the efficacy of helmet types relative to craniofacial injuries. Data included patient demographics, helmet types, injuries, and outcomes. The incidences of facial fractures, skull fractures, and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) were compared in patients wearing FFHs versus other helmet types (OH) during motorcycle crashes. RESULTS: From 2011 to 2012, 151 patients of motorcycle crashes (135 males, 16 female; mean age, 38.4 years; range, 19-74 years) whose helmet types were identified by health care providers were entered into the study. The distribution of helmets was 84 FFH and 67 OH (39 half and 28 modular). Facial fractures were present in 7% of the patients wearing FFH (95% confidence interval, 0.015-0.125) versus 27% (95% confidence interval, 0.164-0.376) of those wearing OH (p = 0.004). In addition skull fractures were present in 1% of the patients wearing FFH versus 8% in those wearing OH (p < 0.05). While there was a trend for patients wearing FFH to have a lower incidence of TBI (13% vs. 25% in those wearing OH), this was not statistically significant (p = 0.053). There were no differences in Injury Severity Score (ISS), length of stay, or mortality between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Victims of motorcycle crashes who are wearing FFH have a significant reduction in facial and skull fractures when compared with those wearing OH. Further studies will be needed to assess whether FFH will significantly decrease the incidence of TBI. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic/epidemiologic study, level III.

Evaluation of in vitro and in vivo inhibitory effects of fusidic acid on Babesia and Theileria parasites.

Fusidic acid known to has antibacterial, antifungal, and antimalarial activities. Fusidic acid blocks translation elongation factor G gene in Plasmodium falciparum. In the present study, the inhibitory effects of fusidic acid on the in vitro growth of bovine and equine Babesia parasites were evaluated. The inhibitory effect of fusidic acid on the in vivo growth of Babesia microti was also assessed. The in vitro growth of four Babesia species that were tested was significantly inhibited (P<0.05) by micromolar concentrations of fusidic acid (IC(50) values=144.8, 17.3, 33.3, and 56.25 µM for Babesia bovis, Babesia bigemina, Babesia caballi, and Theileria equi, respectively). Combinations of fusidic acid with diminazene aceturate synergistically potentiated its inhibitory effects in vitro on B. bovis and B. caballi. In B. microti-infected mice, fusidic acid caused significant (P<0.05) inhibition of the growth of B. microti at the dose of 500 mg/kg BW relative to control group. These results indicate that fusidic acid might be incorporated in treatment of babesiosis.

Providing an intelligible explanation to pet owners by using three-dimensional CT images: use of clinical imaging for better informed consent.

The purpose of the study reported here was to discuss the level of intelligibility of three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) images of clinical patients for persons who are lacking veterinary knowledge. 143 undergraduate students were participated in this study. They were entirely unfamiliar with veterinary anatomy. A survey was conducted using the visual analog scale method with a focus on the level of intelligibility of the 3D-CT images compared to that of the two-dimensional CT images or radiographs. As a result, the mean value of the intelligibility of the 3D-CT image was 88.4 +/- 17.8 points out of 100 points. In clinical cases, it is very difficult for pet owners lacking veterinary knowledge to understand the clinical status of their pets even with explanations using illustrations, radiographs, and transverse CT images. It is considered that better informed consent and patient satisfaction will be obtained provided veterinarians make an effort towards intelligible patient education by using 3D-CT images.

[Bone histomorphometry and osteo-articular manifestations of idiopathic hemochromatosis]. / Histomorphométrie osseuse et manifestations ostéo-articulaires de l'hémochromatose idiopathique.

An histomorphometric study of the bones was done on 28 patients suffering from an idiopathic hemochromatosis. There was a normocalcinemic hyperparathyroidism in half the cases. It appeared to be closely linked to hypersideremia and to be responsible for the sub-chondral arthropathy. The other lesions demonstrated were an osteoporous one, whose relations with hypogonadism was shown, and osteoidosis variations, which most often decreased rather than increased, and whose causes still seem uncertain.