Analysis of line positions of the ν<SUB>6</SUB> band of <SUP>35</SUP>ClNO<SUB>2</SUB> around 411 cm<SUP>-1</SUP>

International audienceThe first investigation of the ν6 band of the 35ClNO2 isotopic species of nitryl chloride, located at 410.11824 (± 0.00007) cm-1 has been performed using a high resolution (0.00102 cm-1) Fourier transform spectrum recorded at the SOLEIL synchrotron source. This B-type band is rather weak but a long optical path was used and, during the spectrum recording, the nitryl chloride sample was kept at low temperature (221 K) in the optical cell. In this way, the rather strong ν2-ν3 difference band located at 422.6 cm-1, observed at 296 K during a previous investigation of the far infrared region [Orphal J, Morillon-Chapey M, Klee S, Mellau GC, Winnewisser M. J Mol Spectrosc 1998;190:101-6], and interfering with observation, could be strongly reduced. This first assignment of the ν6 band of 35ClNO2 was pursued up to high J and Ka quantum number values, J = 79 and Ka = 37. The ν6 band (expected to be of B-type) has a clearly unusual line intensity pattern, since the P branch is about twice as strong as the R-branch. Since the (weak) ν6 band is located close by to the strong A-type ν3 band located at 370 cm-1 [Anantharajah A, Kwabia Tchana F, Manceron L, Orphal J, Flaud JM. J Quant Spectrosc Radiat Transf 2020; 253:107,078], one could reasonably expect that the ν6 band borrows part of its intensity through the existence of a C-type Coriolis resonance that couples together the 61 ⇔ 31 interacting energy levels. However, during the 61 energy level computation, we could not evidence such resonance, and only a classical Watson's type A-type reduced rotational Hamiltonian, involving a single upper state, was used for this calculation

New analysis of line positions of the ν3 bands of 35ClNO2 and 37ClNO2 around 370 cm−1

International audienceA new investigation of the ν3 bands of 35ClNO2 and 37 ClNO2, located around 370 cm−1 has been performed using a high resolution (0.00102 cm−1) Fourier transform spectrum recorded at SOLEIL with highly improved experimental conditions as compared to previous work [Orphal J, Morillon-Chapey M, Klee S, Mellau GC, Winnewisser M. J Mol Spectrosc 1998;190:101–6]: (i) the use of synchrotron radiation which resulted in a better signal-to-noise ratio; (ii) a resolution twice better; (iii) a low temperature (221 K) with an optical path length of 8.16 m, allowing low pressure (0.025 hPa) in the sample leading to a well resolved spectrum. As a consequence, significantly better results than previously were obtained. Thanks to the new experimental conditions, the line assignments were pursued up to higher J and Ka quantum number values, J = 83 and Ka = 44. For both isotopomers, a total of 6331 transitions were reproduced with a root-mean-square deviation of 2 × 10−4 cm−1 using a Watson-type A-reduced Hamiltonian. Improved rotational and centrifugal distortion constants for the ν3 fundamental bands of 35ClNO2 and 37 ClNO2 have been determined. The band centers are 370.1510773(92) cm−1 for the ν3 fundamental band of 35ClNO2 and 364.5218094(96) cm−1 for the ν3 fundamental band of 37ClNO2. The synthetic line list obtained in this study could be interesting for future measurements of ClNO2 in the atmosphere, e.g. using the new space mission FORUM which is one of the concepts chosen by ESA to be developed further and which opens up a new window (150–1400 cm−1 ) for understanding and quantifying the radiative processes, as well as air quality and pollution effect

Integrated band intensities and absorption cross sections of phosgene (Cl2CO) in the mid-infrared at 199, 250 and 300 K

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High-resolution analysis of the 12.6 µm spectral region of the nitryl chloride ClNO2 molecule

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Acceptability and Feasibility of an Evidence-Based Requisition for Bone Mineral Density Testing in Clinical Practice

Introduction. The purpose of this study is to understand the experience of primary care providers (PCPs) using an evidence-based requisition for bone mineral density (BMD) testing. Methods. A qualitative descriptive approach was adopted. Participants were given 3 BMD Recommended Use Requisitions (RUR) to use over a 2-month period. Twenty-six PCPs were interviewed before using the RUR. Those who had received at least one BMD report resulting from RUR use were then interviewed again. An inductive thematic analysis was performed. Results. We identified four themes in interview data: (1) positive and negative characteristics of the RUR, (2) facilitators and barriers for implementation, (3) impact of the RUR, and (4) requisition preference. Positive characteristics of the RUR related to both its content and format. Negative characteristics related to the increased amount of time needed to complete the form. Facilitators to implementation included electronic availability and organizational endorsement. Time constraints were identified as a barrier to implementation. Participants perceived that the RUR would promote appropriate referrals and the majority of participants preferred the RUR to their current requisition. Conclusions. Findings from this study provide support for the RUR as an acceptable point-of-care tool for PCPs to promote appropriate BMD testing

Acceptability and Feasibility of an Evidence-Based Requisition for Bone Mineral Density Testing in Clinical Practice

Introduction. The purpose of this study is to understand the experience of primary care providers (PCPs) using an evidence-based requisition for bone mineral density (BMD) testing. Methods. A qualitative descriptive approach was adopted. Participants were given 3 BMD Recommended Use Requisitions (RUR) to use over a 2-month period. Twenty-six PCPs were interviewed before using the RUR. Those who had received at least one BMD report resulting from RUR use were then interviewed again. An inductive thematic analysis was performed. Results. We identified four themes in interview data: (1) positive and negative characteristics of the RUR, (2) facilitators and barriers for implementation, (3) impact of the RUR, and (4) requisition preference. Positive characteristics of the RUR related to both its content and format. Negative characteristics related to the increased amount of time needed to complete the form. Facilitators to implementation included electronic availability and organizational endorsement. Time constraints were identified as a barrier to implementation. Participants perceived that the RUR would promote appropriate referrals and the majority of participants preferred the RUR to their current requisition. Conclusions. Findings from this study provide support for the RUR as an acceptable point-of-care tool for PCPs to promote appropriate BMD testing.Peer Reviewe

Long-term intensive care unit outbreak of carbapenamase-producing organisms associated with contaminated sink drains

Between 2018 and 2022, a Belgian tertiary care hospital faced a growing issue with acquiring carbapenemase-producing organisms (CPO), mainly VIM-producing P. aeruginosa (PA-VIM) and NDM-producing Enterobacterales (CPE-NDM) among hospitalized patients in the adult intensive care unit (ICU). To investigate this ICU long-term CPO outbreak involving multiple species and a persistent environmental reservoir. Active case finding, environmental sampling, whole-genome sequencing (WGS) analysis of patient and environmental strains, and implemented control strategies were described in this study. From 2018 to 2022, 37 patients became colonized or infected with PA-VIM and/or CPE-NDM during their ICU stay. WGS confirmed the epidemiological link between clinical and environmental strains collected from the sink drains with clonal strain dissemination and horizontal gene transfer mediated by plasmid conjugation and/or transposon jumps. Environmental disinfection by quaternary ammonium-based disinfectant and replacement of contaminated equipment failed to eradicate environmental sources. Interestingly, efflux pump genes conferring resistance to quaternary ammonium compounds were widespread in the isolates. As removing sinks was not feasible, a combination of a foaming product degrading the biofilm and foaming disinfectant based on peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide has been evaluated and has so far prevented recolonization of the proximal sink drain by CPO. The persistence in the hospital environment of antibiotic- and disinfectant-resistant bacteria with the ability to transfer mobile genetic elements poses a serious threat to ICU patients with a risk of shifting towards an endemicity scenario. Innovative strategies are needed to address persistent environmental reservoirs and prevent CPO transmission

Phagocyte extracellular traps in children with neutrophilic airway inflammation

Childhood lung infection is often associated with prominent neutrophilic airway inflammation and excess production of proteases such as neutrophil elastase (NE). The mechanisms responsible for this inflammation are not well understood. One potentially relevant pathway is the production of extracellular traps by neutrophils (NETs) and macrophages (METs). The aim of this study was to measure NET and MET expression in children and the effect of deoxyribonculease (DNase) 1 and α1-antitrypsin (AAT) on this process. We studied 76 children (median age of 4.0 years) with cystic fibrosis or chronic cough who underwent investigational bronchoscopy. NETs, METs and neutrophil elastase activity in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples were measured using confocal microscopy and functional assays. The effects of DNase 1 and AAT on NET/MET expression and neutrophil elastase activity were examined in vitro. Both subject groups had airway neutrophilia with prominent BAL production of NETs with neutrophil elastase co-expression; the mean %±standard error of the mean of neutrophils expressing NETs in the cystic fibrosis group was 23.3±2.8% and in the non-cystic fibrosis group was 28.4±3.9%. NET expression was higher in subjects who had detectable neutrophil elastase activity (p≤0.0074). The percentage of macrophages expressing METs in the cystic fibrosis group was 10.7±1.2% and in the non-cystic fibrosis group was 13.2±1.9%. DNase 1 decreased NET/MET expression (p<0.0001), but increased neutrophil elastase activity (p≤0.0137). The combination of AAT and DNase 1 reduced neutrophil elastase activity (p≤0.0049). We observed prominent extracellular trap formation in symptomatic children with and without cystic fibrosis. This innate inflammatory response was down-regulated by a combination of currently available therapeutics