Detection of norovirus in saliva samples from acute gastroenteritis cases and asymptomatic subjects : Association with age and higher shedding in stool

Norovirus infections are a leading cause of acute gastroenteritis outbreaks worldwide and across all age groups, with two main genogroups (GI and GII) infecting humans. The aim of our study was to investigate the occurrence of norovirus in saliva samples from individuals involved in outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis in closed and semiclosed institutions, and its relationship with the virus strain, virus shedding in stool, the occurrence of symptoms, age, and the secretor status of the individual. Epidemiological and clinical information was gathered from norovirus outbreaks occurring in Catalonia, Spain during 2017-2018, and stool and saliva samples were collected from affected and exposed resident individuals and workers. A total of 347 saliva specimens from 25 outbreaks were analyzed. Further, 84% of individuals also provided a paired stool sample. For GII infections, norovirus was detected in 17.9% of saliva samples from symptomatic cases and 5.2% of asymptomatic individuals. Positivity in saliva occurred in both secretors and nonsecretors. None of the individuals infected by norovirus GI was positive for the virus in saliva. Saliva positivity did not correlate with any of the studied symptoms but did correlate with age ≥ 65 years old. Individuals who were positive in saliva showed higher levels of virus shedding in stool. Mean viral load in positive saliva was 3.16 ± 1.08 log10 genome copies/mL, and the predominance of encapsidated genomes was confirmed by propidium monoazide (PMA)xx-viability RTqPCR assay. The detection of norovirus in saliva raises the possibility of oral-to-oral norovirus transmission during the symptomatic phase and, although to a lesser extent, even in cases of asymptomatic infections

Towards oxy-steam combustion: The effect of increasing the steam concentration on coal reactivity

Oxy-steam combustion and devolatilization performance of three different coals (anthracite, blend of bituminous coals and low-rank coal) was studied in a thermobalance with a water vapour furnace under variable steam concentrations (0, 20, 40 and 70 vol% H2O) in N2 and CO2. Two oxygen concentrations were used during the combustion tests (20 and 30 vol%). Devolatilization behaviour was similar under N2 and CO2 atmosphere and increasing steam concentration did not affect significantly the observed reactivity and the reaction temperature range. Replacing CO2 with 20 vol% H2O during combustion tests produced a decrease in ignition and burnout temperatures. When H2O content increased to 40 and 70 vol%, this effect was only found with high-rank anthracite. Maximum mass loss rates for the low-rank coal with high volatile content were up to four times higher than with the other two coals. During direct oxidation experiments, DTG curves of anthracite and the coal blend showed a double peak, corresponding to devolatilization and oxidation reactions. This allowed determining independent kinetic parameters (Ea and A) for both stages. An only DTG peak was detected with the low-rank coal since devolatilization and oxidation reactions took place simultaneously owing to its high reactivity. Devolatilization and oxidation kinetics followed a first-order reaction using the Coats-Redfern integral method. Significant differences were not observed between the activation energies of the three coals when comparing conventional (N2), oxy-fuel (CO2) and oxy-steam conditions (70 vol% H2O in CO2), although Ea values were higher for the devolatilization stage than for the oxidation process

Crystallographic texture evolution in electron beam melting additive manufacturing of pure Molybdenum

Additive manufacturing (AM) technologies offer novel opportunities for processing difficult to cast refractory materials. Electron beam melting (EBM) AM is particularly attractive as the rapidly moving electron beam can be utilized to heat the powder bed which mitigates against some process induced cracking mechanisms. A great deal of prior work has been done to investigate laser based processing of molybdenum but little EBM focused work currently exists. In this work we investigate EBM processed molybdenum and observe sharp 001,111, and mixed 001 & 111 crystallographic fibers in the build direction. The apparent preference between these build direction fibers is dependent on the imposed energy density and this is likely explained by the weld pool shape. Detailed microscopy reveals that the observed columnar grains consist of much finer equiaxed low angle boundary subgrains suggesting large process induced stresses leading to appreciable plastic deformation. The implications resulting from this work are that molybdenum may be processed crack-free via EBM AM and that fiber-switching may be controlled, and exploited, towards fabricating components with optimized performance

Egg masses of the Patagonian squid Doryteuthis (Amerigo) gahi

Egg masses of the Patagonian squid Doryteuthis (Amerigo) gahi attached to giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) in the Magellanic channels of the sub-Antarctic ecoregion in southern South America is documented for the first time. Of seven egg masses observed between 2008 and 2011, one was taken to the laboratory to be analysed and photographed. Comprising long transparent capsules containing eggs, the masses were strongly attached to the stipes of M. pyrifera. This macroalgae is a potentially important economic resource due to its multiple industrial uses; this study shows that it also serves an important ecological role as a spawning substrate for D. gahi

Multinational evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and management of gout: integrating systematic literature review and expert opinion of a broad panel of rheumatologists in the 3e initiative

We aimed to develop evidence-based multinational recommendations for the diagnosis and management of gout. Using a formal voting process, a panel of 78 international rheumatologists developed 10 key clinical questions pertinent to the diagnosis and management of gout. Each question was investigated with a systematic literature review. Medline, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL and abstracts from 2010–2011 European League Against Rheumatism and American College of Rheumatology meetings were searched in each review. Relevant studies were independently reviewed by two individuals for data extraction and synthesis and risk of bias assessment. Using this evidence, rheumatologists from 14 countries (Europe, South America and Australasia) developed national recommendations. After rounds of discussion and voting, multinational recommendations were formulated. Each recommendation was graded according to the level of evidence. Agreement and potential impact on clinical practice were assessed. Combining evidence and clinical expertise, 10 recommendations were produced. One recommendation referred to the diagnosis of gout, two referred to cardiovascular and renal comorbidities, six focused on different aspects of the management of gout (including drug treatment and monitoring), and the last recommendation referred to the management of asymptomatic hyperuricaemia. The level of agreement with the recommendations ranged from 8.1 to 9.2 (mean 8.7) on a 1–10 scale, with 10 representing full agreement. Ten recommendations on the diagnosis and management of gout were established. They are evidence-based and supported by a large panel of rheumatologists from 14 countries, enhancing their utility in clinical practice. <br/

Child hospital admissions associated with influenza virus infection in 6 Spanish cities (2014-2016) Hospitalizaciones infantiles asociadas a infección por virus de la gripe en 6 ciudades de España (2014-2016)

Introduction: There are only a limited number of studies on the impact of influenza in the Spanish child population. The present work intends to increase this knowledge by studying some key aspects, such as the incidence of hospital admissions, clinic variables, comorbidities, and the vaccination status in the hospitalised children. Methods: A retrospective, observational study was conducted by reviewing the medical records of children under 15 years and hospitalised due to community acquired influenza confirmed microbiologically, during 2 ́flu seasons (2014-2015 and 2015-2016). The study was carried out in 10 hospitals of 6 cities, which represent approximately 12% of the Spanish child population. Results: A total of 907 children were admitted to hospital with main diagnosis of influenza infection (447 10 years. Admission to the PICU was required in 10% (92) of the cases, mainly due to acute respiratory failure. Conclusion: Influenza continues to be an important cause of hospitalisation in the Spanish child population. Children 50%) of the cases. Many of the severe forms of childhood influenza that occur today could be avoided if current vaccination guidelines were met

Child hospital admissions associated with influenza virus infection in 6 Spanish cities (2014-2016) Hospitalizaciones infantiles asociadas a infección por virus de la gripe en 6 ciudades de España (2014-2016)

Introduction: There are only a limited number of studies on the impact of influenza in the Spanish child population. The present work intends to increase this knowledge by studying some key aspects, such as the incidence of hospital admissions, clinic variables, comorbidities, and the vaccination status in the hospitalised children. Methods: A retrospective, observational study was conducted by reviewing the medical records of children under 15 years and hospitalised due to community acquired influenza confirmed microbiologically, during 2 ́flu seasons (2014-2015 and 2015-2016). The study was carried out in 10 hospitals of 6 cities, which represent approximately 12% of the Spanish child population. Results: A total of 907 children were admitted to hospital with main diagnosis of influenza infection (447 10 years. Admission to the PICU was required in 10% (92) of the cases, mainly due to acute respiratory failure. Conclusion: Influenza continues to be an important cause of hospitalisation in the Spanish child population. Children 50%) of the cases. Many of the severe forms of childhood influenza that occur today could be avoided if current vaccination guidelines were met