Studying bacteria in respiratory specimens by using conventional and molecular microbiological approaches

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Drawing from previous studies, the traditional routine diagnostic microbiology evaluation of samples from chronic respiratory conditions may provide an incomplete picture of the bacteria present in airways disease. Here, the aim was to determine the extent to which routine diagnostic microbiology gave a different assessment of the species present in sputa when analysed by using culture-independent assessment.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Six different media used in routine diagnostic microbiology were inoculated with sputum from twelve patients. Bacterial growth on these plates was harvested and both RNA and DNA extracted. DNA and RNA were also extracted directly from the same sample of sputum. All nucleic acids served as templates for PCR and reverse transcriptase-PCR amplification of "broad range" bacterial 16S rRNA gene regions. The regions amplified were separated by Terminal Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (T-RFLP) profiling and compared to assess the degree of overlap between approaches.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A mean of 16.3 (SD 10.0) separate T-RF band lengths in the profiles from each sputum sample by Direct Molecular Analysis, with a mean of 8.8 (SD 5.8) resolved by DNA profiling and 13.3 (SD 8.0) resolved by RNA profiling. In comparison, 8.8 (SD 4.4) T-RF bands were resolved in profiles generated by Culture-derived Molecular Analysis. There were a total of 184 instances of T-RF bands detected in the direct sputum profiles but not in the corresponding culture-derived profiles, representing 83 different T-RF band lengths. Amongst these were fifteen instances where the T-RF band represented more than 10% of the total band volume (with a mean value of 23.6%). Eight different T-RF band lengths were resolved as the dominant band in profiles generated directly from sputum. Of these, only three were detected in profiles generated from the corresponding set of cultures.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Due to their focus on isolation of a small group of recognised pathogens, the use of culture-dependent methods to analyse samples from chronic respiratory infections can provide a restricted understanding of the bacterial species present. The use of a culture-independent molecular approach here identifies that there are many bacterial species in samples from CF and COPD patients that may be clinically relevant.</p

Measurement of B(D_s+ -> mu+ nu_mu)/B(D_s+ -> phi mu+ nu_mu) and Determination of the Decay Constant f_{D_s}

We have observed $23.2 \pm 6.0_{-0.9}^{+1.0}$ purely-leptonic decays of $D_s^+ -> \mu^+ \nu_\mu$ from a sample of muonic one prong decay events detected in the emulsion target of Fermilab experiment E653. Using the $D_s^+ -> \phi \mu^+ \nu_\mu$ yield measured previously in this experiment, we obtain $B(D_s^+ --> \mu^+ \nu_\mu) / B(D_s^+ --> \phi \mu^+ \nu_\mu) =0.16 \pm 0.06 \pm 0.03$. In addition, we extract the decay constant $f_{D_s}=194 \pm 35 \pm 20 \pm 14 MeV$.Comment: 15 pages including one figur

Data from: Efficacy of psychosocial interventions for psychological and pregnancy outcomes in infertile women and men: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: To evaluate the evidence on the efficacy of psychosocial interventions for improving pregnancy rates and reducing distress for couples in treatment with assisted reproductive technology (ART). Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Data sources PsycINFO, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science and The Cochrane Library between 1978 and April 2014. Study selection Studies were considered eligible if they evaluated the effect of any psychosocial intervention on clinical pregnancy and/or distress in infertile participants, used a quantitative approach, and were published in English. Data extraction Study characteristics and results were extracted and the methodological quality assessed. Effect sizes (Hedges g) were pooled using a random effect model. Heterogeneity was assessed using the Q statistic and I2, and publication bias evaluated using Eggers’ method. Possible moderators and mediators were explored with meta-ANOVAs and meta-regression. Results We identified 39 eligible studies (total N = 2746 men and women) assessing the effects of psychological treatment on pregnancy rates and/or adverse psychological outcomes, including depressive symptoms, anxiety, infertility stress, and marital function. Statistically significant and robust overall effects of psychosocial intervention were found for both clinical pregnancy (RR = 2.01; CI: 1.48-2.73; p<0.001) and combined psychological outcomes (Hedges g=0.59; CI: 0.38-0.80; p=0.001,). The pooled effect sizes (ES) for psychological outcomes were generally larger for women (g: 0.51-0.73) than men (0.13-0.34), but the difference only reached statistical significance for depressive symptoms (p=0.004). Meta-regression indicated that larger reductions in anxiety were associated with greater improvement in pregnancy rates (Slope: 0.19; p=0.004). No clear-cut differences were found between effects of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) (g=0.84), mind-body interventions (0.61), and other intervention types (0.50). Conclusion The present meta-analysis suggests that psychosocial interventions for couples in treatment for infertility, in particular CBT, could be efficacious, both in reducing psychological distress and in improving clinical pregnancy rates

Predictors of pain during oocyte retrieval

Introduction: Pain during oocyte retrieval remains prevalent despite detailed and specific pain management protocols. Exploring the role of psychosocial risk factors of pain during the oocyte retrieval could identify possible targets for prevention. The present study assessed pain prevalence and possible risk factors for experiencing extreme pain levels in a large cohort of women receiving assisted reproductive technologies (ART) treatment. Methods: Participants were 810 first attendees about to begin treatment with ART. The participants completed questionnaires at three time points: at their 21st day of the cycle, during the waiting time before the oocyte retrieval surgery and after the oocyte retrieval. Results: Fifty-one (6.9%) of the women reported the oocyte retrieval to be very or extremely painful. The results of a multiple logistic regression indicated that the significant predictors of high pain intensity, measured before the oocyte retrieval, were negative gynecological experiences and side effects of hormonal treatment. Variables measured after the oocyte retrieval associated with pain intensity were higher levels of anxiety during the oocyte retrieval, lower levels of perceived control and longer duration of the procedure. Discussion: The findings of the present study may help to identify those women who are at increased risk of experiencing unacceptable pain levels during oocyte retrieval procedures and the medical staff is advised to take psychological factors into account